1850s Quarter Plate Double Ambrotype Hotchkiss Samuel the Immigrant Descendant For Sale
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1850s Quarter Plate Double Ambrotype Hotchkiss Samuel the Immigrant Descendant: $99.99
Rare 1850s Double Quarter-Plate Ambrotype Set – Identified Hotchkiss Family HeritageUp for sale is a magnificent piece of mid-19th-century American history: an original, matching Double Quarter-Plate Ambrotype portrait set dating precisely to circa 1855–1858.This stunning pair features a beautifully preserved husband and wife. Tucked safely inside the case is an invaluable, original handwritten paper slip reading: "My grandfather & mother Hotchkiss."Lineage Rooted in Colonial American HistoryFor collectors of early photography and genealogy enthusiasts, the identity of this couple offers an extraordinary provenance. The gentleman in this portrait is a direct descendant of Samuel Hotchkiss "The Immigrant" (c. 1622–1663), one of the original founding planters of the New Haven Colony in Connecticut who arrived in the New World in 1638.By the time this prominent couple sat for these portraits in the 1850s, the Hotchkiss name was synonymous with classic American industry, grit, and pioneering engineering. This gentleman belongs to the exact generation of historic Hotchkiss cousins who reshaped the American landscape, including:
Benjamin Berkeley Hotchkiss (1826–1885): The legendary ordnance engineer and inventor of the Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon.
Maria Bissell Hotchkiss: Founder of the world-renowned preparatory school, The Hotchkiss School.Through this direct connection to Samuel the Immigrant, this couple shares a bloodline with some of the most influential figures in American history, including Thomas Edison, Harriet Beecher Stowe, J.P. Morgan, and even modern cultural figures like actor Edward Norton.Photographic & Styling Details
The Process: Genuine wet-plate collodion ambrotypes on glass. They display beautiful, crisp detail and do not mirror or invert like a daguerreotype.
The Size: High-end Quarter-Plate size
exterior measures approx. 4" x 3 ¼"). This format was much more expensive than standard sixth-plates and was typically reserved for prominent family portraits.
The Fashion: The gentleman wears a formal, dark high-collared frock coat with a wide black cravat. The lady is dressed in a magnificent, highly detailed plaid gown with a crisp white collar. She is proudly holding a small book (likely a family Bible or hymnal) to signify her piety and education.Condition Report
The Case: The classic floral scrollwork and clover-embossed wooden case has completely split at the leather spine, which is entirely standard for its 170-year age.
The Clasps: Incredibly, both original brass hook-and-eye clasps are 100% intact and securely lock the two halves together.
The Images: The deep, ornate internal golden brass mats have retained their rich, brilliant color beautifully. The images have excellent clarity and contrast. The gentleman's plate shows a few minor dark oxidation/flaking spots near his cheek and forehead, consistent with age.
The Note: The original handwritten identification slip is included.This is a museum-quality centerpiece of early Americana. It is a rare opportunity to own a fully identified, matching quarter-plate set tied directly to one of New England’s foundational colonial families.
