Help requested in identifying daguerreotypists

[Martin John Last]

I have a pair of tinted daguerreotypes that have me very puzzled. I bought them in the UK and the sitters look to be British but the case is American and something about the highly polished hallmarked plates, the subdued tinting and a complete lack of sealing tape doesn't seem very British to me. I can't believe that many daguerreotypists would have produced work quite as involved, precise and theatrical as this. Does anyone have any ideas as to who the daguerreotypist might be, or even just as to whether they are American or British? I can add a lot more images if it helps.

[HELEN DAWKINS]

 I believe that with the ornate casing and hand colouring, these are more likely to be ambrotypes dating from the late 1850's which if I am correct, may alter your line of detective work.    Ambrotypes were frequently hand coloured, daguerreotypes, rarely if ever hand tinted in view of the make up of the construction on polished copper plates.

[Martin John Last]

Thanks Helen. These are definitely daguerreotypes. Here is one in the negative form:

[Steven Evans]

You might consider this was taken in Canada. No names come to mind right away, but there were a number of makers who could produce this calibre of work including Thomas Coffin Doane, Eli Palmer and others.

[Martin John Last]

Thank you Steven. Some others have also suggested a possible Canadian connection. I'll check out those names.