"BROTHER, WHEN SHALL I SEE YOU?" Ambrotype in case. 1864. Behind the image is a piece of paper on which is penciled... "Nov. 3, 1864, Brother, when shall I see you?". Sayings such as this where frequently added to cased images intheir service as keepsakes. Although the cover glass is quite damaged, I've only cleaned it and reset it. I suspect that this man was a house framer. He owned a set of heavy firmer chisels, along with a heavier grade of tools in general. You can make out a Taylor patent brace of the type often marked by Increase Wilson. Perhaps a knowledgable saw maven will know who made the saw?
CABINETMAKER AND PLOW PLANE. Ambrotype. c1856.Although there is considerable image deterioration due to humidity, this remains a fascinating ambrotype. The man is unusually well dressed and very carefull of his appearance with a goatee and waved hairstyle. His face is particularly intelligent, even given the uncomfortable need to hold still for the ambrotype. He is holding a plow plane, a tool more often found in the shop of the joiner or cabinetmaker.
In addition, this ambrotype came in it's original "Union" case with a paper label stating:
A. P. Critchlow & Co., Manufacturers of Daguerreotype Cases. A.P.C. & Co. Are the orignal inventors of the Composition for the Union Case (so called), including all the various shades of color.... Hinge Patented Oct. 14, 1856." Obviously holding on to one's patent rights was a difficult endeavor.
