[Sarah Alexander, ca. 1855] / photograph by Antoine Claudet

MIN 275

item

ca. 1855

Graphic Materials, Photographs

442799

Photographs - 2 tinted daguerreotpyes, set side-by-side in rectangular glass frame, with black border, stored in rectangular shaped red morocco leather case with cardboard lining and lid that folds into slot at front. - 8.5 x 17.6 cm. - 17.7 x 9.2 cm. (case)

In 1811, Sarah Wills married the surgeon William Redfern (1774?-1833). In 1834 she married James Alexander. -- Reference: Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol.2, 1788-1850. Carlton, Vic.: Melbourne University Press, 1967
Antoine Claudet (1797-1867), a French-born British photographer, was the first person to obtain a Daguerreotype license in England. -- Reference: Wikimedia Commons, Online Jan. 2005

The female in this portrait wears a semi-fitted jacket/cape with round collar and pagoda sleeves, open to a "V" in the front to reveal a white cotton blouse, with broderie anglaise trimmed collar and gold brooch, above a full, bell-shaped skirt. The jacket/cape has a button fastening down centre front with bands of rouching/applied braid either side, also at cuffs. The sitter wears a straw bonnet with ribbon ties at the chin, ostrich feather trim and an internal frill of bobbin lace. She also wears two gold rings.

Accompanying the photographs, stored inside the case, is a visiting card with the printed text, ""Mr & Mrs F.R. Holloway / 'Carleton"" / Gordon"". Handwritten on the reverse of this card, ""Mrs Redfern - then / Mrs Alexander / Mothers, Mothers sister / Enid.""
Part of the papers of the Pockley Family at MLMSS 2031.

Affixed to verso of daguerreotype is a printed artist's trade card with the Royal coast of arms that reads, ""Under the patronage of Her Majesty / by Royal letters patent / Mr Antoine Claudet, / 107 Regent Street, / (Quadrant, near Vigo Street.) / Daguerreotype miniatures. / Plain, coloured and non inverted daguerreotype portraits""
Embossed in gold text on front of leather case, ""[coat of arms] Dieu et Mo[?] Droit / Claudet / 107 Regent St Quadrant""