Any information about a Richard Beard Daguerreotype

[John Hamilton]

I have this signed Richard Beard daguerreotype in my collection, which unfortunately not in great shape. 
Does anyone recognise the markings on the back or possibly recognise the sitter ? 

Is it just a plate number and name of the sitter ?

 
It is not a great photograph, is this a early attempt ?

The plate is signed R Beard in the corner 

Thanks 

again 

 

[Steve Lightfoot]

Sorry this is a question about Richard Beard rather than this photo. Does anyone know if he ever produced silouettes. I have a Richard Beard case which is in remarkable condition and looks genuine but it has a silouette in it rather than a daguerreotype. 

Thanks

Steve

[Jason Wright]

Hi Steve, Beard never made silhouettes. Over the years, I have seen painted miniatures and silhouettes in Beard Pat Japanned frames and cases. Many of these have original backing paper on them so I don’t think they were put in later (although that is a possibility). I have always operated under the impression that Beard branched out a little and sold his enclosures to miniature portrait galleries as a side business. That may well have been the case here. There are several instances however, of clients taking their silhouettes made externally to a Beard Patentee daguerreotype studio to get them copied. Hope that helps.

[John Hamilton]

Hi

its about the photo and inscriptions on the back ?

There is no record of him doing silouettes (unless I am proven otherwise?) 

I think you have a recased silouette unless it is a photographic copy ?

[Geoff Batchen]

There are two other known Beard daguerreotype plates signed on the fornt in gold paint, one in the Royal Collection (as mentioned by Jason) and one in the collection of the Bodleian Library. Such plates are likely to have been made by Richard Beard Jr, rather than his father (who may not have made any photographs).

[Jason Wright]

Hi, thank for sharing. This is indeed a rare image and is a good example of Richard Beard's 1851 enamaling technique where he aplied tinting and then added a sort of varnish over the top. I have about 10 of these in my collection but there are not many outside of this. Most do not have the yellow R. Beard but there are several others known including the Tyrolese Singers in The Royal Collection. 

[William Cowan]

The bowtie places the image after 1850

Regards Bill

[John Hamilton]

Thanks is Jason Wright out there ? 

[Michael Pritchard]

I have emailed him. 

[Martin John Last]

I've never seen a Beard signed on the front of the plate but Jason Wright is THE expert on Beard.