BRIDE. CAN THERE BE . . . any doubt, after fully appreciating her magnificent WHOLE PLATE DAGUERREOTYPE, just how much effort the unidentified woman expended before posing in a highly skilled operators studio? Her likeness is a masterpiece! The womans bridal dress and veil, decorated with fresh flowers and greenery, has been arranged with unequaled perfection. Her full-length view, with a perfect placement of those gloved hands and a slight rotation of her beautiful head indicates (to me) that the accomplished daguerreotypist was accustom to making very difficult shots. Obviously, his source of illumination had to be a very large window that must have been located behind and to the left of the camera. The sill would have been at waist level while the panes of glass soared at least eight feet upwards. The atelier was spacious. The carpeted floor suggests permanence to the place, which is at an unknown location. The black cloth backdrop was hung several feet behind her. Because there are dappled light spots on it, I might interpret that to indicate a second light source above and behind the lady. Visually, they create an added depth to the highly reflective surface. While the bride remained motionless, her dress and veil created the sensation of a gentle scented breeze moving around her. When I received the bride, the plate was unsealed, the glass was in horrible condition and the brass mat was covered with green degradation and badly pitted. I elected to use a thin brass mat (from the same period) and a new cover glass before I archivally sealed the package back together. The mold spiders, specks and flecks that you see are not as noticeable when the bride is admired. Large daguerreotypes are scarce enough. A professionally hand colored example that recorded one of the most memorable days in this fascinating young womans life, with such a magical result, is rarely offered for sale. The brass hinges of the black leather push button case (Boston style) have become unpinned. The wood is cracked in places and the leather has been split and pieces are missing. $32,500