A couple items of note before today's text: Another item for today (September 21) is posted, with illustrations, on The Daguerreian Society web site. "A New mode of conducting the Daguerreotype Process," by W. H. Stanley Crawford, discusses the introduction of mercury into the camera itself to eliminate image fading due to delayed mercurialization of the plate: http://www.daguerre.org/resource/texts/crawford.html I received this note from Sebastian Dobson a few days ago: "In the last issue of 'The PhotoHistorian', my colleague and I published an article regarding one of the first daguerreotype portraits ever taken of a Japanese subject. The subsequent detective work involved in establishing the identification of the sitter forms the basis of this article...": http://www.old-japan.co.uk/sentaro.article.html * * * * * * * * On this day (September 21) in the year 1850, the following advertisement appeared in the "Daily Evening Transcript" (Boston): - - - - - - - - - - - - - P O R T R A I T O F J E N N Y L I N D--AFTER A DAGUERREOTYPE. Many are anxious to get a good portrait of Mademoiselle Lind, and yet do not buy from not knowing where to get one that is reliable. The following unsolicted testimonial will, therefore, be of much service, coming as it does from a gentleman who was a fellow passenger on board the Atlantic. NEW YORK, September 9, 1850 Mr Edward Anthony--Dear Sir: I have taken a good look at your Engraving of Jenny Lind, and must say I never saw a more striking likeness. The expression of the face, the features, and the style of dress are perfect. Allow me to congratulate you on your success in get- ting so perfect a fac simile. Yours, respectfully, A. M. EASTMAN. LETTER FROM JENNY LIND. NEW YORK, 12th Sept. 1850. Dear Sir: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of my like- ness you were so kind as to send me, and thank you very much for this attention. As far as I myself am able to judge I think it a good likeness. Believe me, dear sir, your obliged JENNY LIND. Mr E. ANTHONY, 205 Broadway. LETTER FROM HON JOHN TAYLOR. Late Mayor of Albany, Mr E. ANTHONY--Dear Sir: I have just seen an En- raving published by you of Jenny Lind--the sweet song- stress. I had many opportunities of studying her countenance during our passage across the Atlantic, and think this likeness the best I have seen, and very correct. Yours, respectfully, JOHN TAYLOR. Albany, Sept 12, 1850. [From the New York Tribune.] ON SEEING MR ANTHONY'S PORTRAIT OF JENNY LIND. BY ANNA L. SNELLING. 'Tis true to life! In every line we trace The quick emotions of her radiant face, The mild, firm lips, the genius-lighted eye, The brow of lofty thought, serene and high! In gazing thus we almost dream the while, Those lips are parting with their wonted smile, That heavenly voice in fancy we can hear, Breathing the welcome to her friends so dear. But more than this--Oh, matchless child of song! Once more the raptured soul is borne along On the full tide of melody to rise, As if on seraph pinions to the skies! The chiseled features of the loveliest face-- The form of symmetry and matchless grace-- What are they to the bright, o'ermastering soul, Subjecting all things to its sweet control! 'Tis thus with thee--thy features in repose, Might lack the brilliant coloring of the rose, But genius lends them that celestial ray Nor time nor change can ever take away. The Engraving is finished in the finest style of Line Mezzotint and Stipple, and will be sold either in the sheet, or framed in any style to suit purchasers, at a price with which no one can find fault who shall see the excellence of the work. Published by E. ANTHONY, 205 Broadway, New York. For sale in Boston, by MUNROE & CO. and sept 21 SMW&S DUDLEY WILLIAMS. (The poem also appeared in the May 1851 issue of The Photographic Art Journal.) --------------------------------------------------------------- 09-21-97