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FRIDAY DECEMBER 10, 2021 • VOL. 51, NO. 49
One Of The Earliest Photographic Portraits Taken In America Brings $300,000 Historically Significant Henry Fitz Jr. Archive Of Photographic History Achieves Top Result The cache included photographs of Henry Fitz Jr. (1808-63) and his family taken between 1840 and 1842 as well as early telescopes and other optical devices. The cache of daguerreotypes offered in the auction, along with an existing Fitz group at the National Museum of American History, was the largest group of images produced by a single photographer from the pioneering era of photography in America (1839-42). While single images from this period exist, most are anonymous, undated and orphans floating in the historical ether. However, the Fitz archive can be closely dated to have been produced between about January 1840 and the fall of 1842. It was during these 36 months that photography in America developed into a commercial enterprise. The Fitz daguerreotypes are distinct evidence of the first months of development of photography in America and, even more importantly, the exploration of early photographic portraiture. A collection like this has not been offered since the
Feigenbaum collection of Southworth and Hawes images. “We were pleased to offer this singular collection from the beginnings of such an impactful technology,” shared Wes Cowan, vice chair of Hindman Auctions. “The glimpse that these photographs provide into the development of photography is extremely valuable, and we are happy the collection can be preserved in an institutional setting. Naturally, the consigner is extremely pleased with the results.” In the spring of 1839, the daguerreotype, a process used to capture an image on a silver-plated sheet of copper made sensitive to light, was introduced to the United States from France. A complete description of the process developed later that fall, and entrepreneurs in New York and Philadelphia competed to be the first to produce marketable photographs. Fitz, along with partners Alexander Wolcott and John Johnson, ultimately emerged as the winners. Fitz, a New York city telescope Continued on page 10
A rare daguerreotype portrait of Henry Fitz Jr. taken in January of 1840, one of the earliest surviving photographic portraits taken in America, was part of an archive collection of photographs realizing $300,000, selling to a Midwest museum. On Nov. 15, Hindman Auctions sold one of the earliest photographic portraits taken in America as part of a collection of photographs that realized an impressive $300,000. The archive was
purchased by a midwestern museum. Offered in The Henry Fitz Jr. Archive of Photographic History, the photographs were recently “rediscovered” after lying for 87 years in an unheated shed in Peconic, N.Y.
Christmas Shopping At The Emporium
For many, the holiday season is a time of sharing, of giving, and a time with family. The dealers started decorating for Christmas right after Halloween at the Historic Burlington Antiques and Art Emporium, attempting to put a smile on the faces of shoppers, each day adding more and more lights to the courtyard display until the space was completely decorated for Christmas. This holiday season, the Emporium sales display case contains items for building train platforms, decorating the tree and enhancing the holiday dining room table. The special sales display Continued on page 2
These early camera lenses and box camera found in the workshop of George W. Fitz, Peconic, N.Y., sold for $4,688.
George Woltz Tall Clock From Hagerstown Goes To Auction Hurley To Sell Betty Jones Estate Collection Of Clocks Hurley Auctions of Greencastle, Pa., is conducting the auction of one of the largest collections of clocks. The name Betty Jones (19352021) strikes a bell for many in Washington County, Md., as being an avid collector of antiques, carnival glass, and clocks. Originally born in Cumberland, Md., Jones resided in the Hagerstown area for the majority of her life with her late husband, Jack, who originally started their passion for collecting clocks. The collection boasts nearly 1,000 clocks from all over the world. One clock in particular that Betty acquired was a tall case clock by Continued on page 11
In This Issue SHOPS, SHOWS & MARKETS . . . . . . . . . starting on page 3 SHOPS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . on page 5 EVENT & AUCTION CALENDAR . on page 6 AUCTION SALE BILLS . . starting on page 6 AUCTIONEER DIRECTORY . . . . on page 6
FEATURED RESULTS: Pook & Pook Native American Indian Auction, October 27 - Page 8
CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . .on page 11