American School, 19th Century Album of Photographs from the Family of Orrin Freeman (American, 1830-1866)

Description:

American School, 19th Century

Album of Photographs from the Family of Orrin Freeman (American, 1830-1866), including sixty-five cartes-de-visite, five tintypes, fifteen gem-sized tintypes, and one carte-sized watercolor and gouache floral still life. Comprised primarily of portraits (of people, dogs, and several figures on horseback),but also including views of grave monuments, the Washington Elm in Cambridge Common, the White House, the Castle (the first Smithsonian Building),and other architectural renderings, a photographic reproduction of John. H. Littlefield's painting Death-Bed of Lincoln, a portrait of Millie and Chrissie McCoy, and several Asian exteriors and landscapes. Albumen silver prints and tintypes in an album with painted cover, 6 x 9 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. (15.0 x 24.0 x 5.5 cm).
Condition: Minor foxing, primarily to album pages, album binding is broken.

Provenance: By descent in the family of photographer Orrin Freeman.

N.B. Of particular interest is a John H. Fitzgibbon (British/American, 1819-1882) portrait of Millie and Christine McKoy, conjoined twins who were born into slavery in North Carolina in 1851. Also known as Millie-Crissie, the sisters toured America and Europe as the "The Two-Headed Nightingale," playing piano, dancing, and singing. Cartes-de-visite such as this one were sold to support and publicize their performances.
Estimate $1,500-2,500

The volume is nearly completely detached from the cover. Many of the images have varying levels of fading. Most (but not all) surfaces of the images are in reasonible condition. The images posted to the website are representarive of the alblum, but many of the portaits are NOT shown.


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

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