Half Plate American Chamfered Box Daguerreotype Camera c. 1850

Half Plate Sized American Chamfered Box Daguerreotype Camera. This is the quintessential American Daguerreotype camera. This was the first commercial form of American Daguerreotype camera and was introduced about 1845 and phased out about 1855. This example likely dates to about 1850-1853 as the inner frame of the camera can extend well beyond the outer body to accommodate taking images closer up and/or copying. This beautiful and historic camera features Rosewood veneers and Chamfered edges to the camera. Like all other Chamfered Dag cameras, this has no makers mark. This form of camera was likely sold by E. Anthony or W & WH Lewis. The lens on the camera is an unmarked Petzval portrait lens – likely of French origin.