Here are some photographs from my collection that I could use some help in identifying. If you know anything about any of these photos or recognize any of the people in them, please drop me a line. Thanks much for looking!  Ambrotypes, cabinet cards, cartes de visite, daguerreotypes, magic lantern, stereoviews, tintypes.
This daguerreotype of a young sailor in top hat & earrings came in an auction lot I purchased, said to be from the South Dartmouth and New Bedford families of Benjamin Wing, Herbert Wing, and Charles H. Gifford. Also included was an ambrotype of whaling captain Lemuel Milk Potter. I don't have identifications for the two men shown below. Nor for the daguerreotype of the group of four sisters(?) which also came in this unknown family. Anyone recognize them? If so, please email me at dick@AlaskaWanted.com
Unidentified whaling daguerreotypes and ambrotypes

New Bedford area daguerreotype of four sisters.




CDV of John Luther whaling master.

CDV of John Luther (?) in an eastern arctic outfit taken by New Bedford photographers Knowles & Hillman. Was Luther a whaler?
There was a John P. Luther who was a whaling master.

Cabinet card of John Shaw taken in New Bedford, whaling master.
Cabinet card of “John Shaw” taken in New Bedford. Not sure if it is John M. Shaw, whaling master.
The New Bedford Whaling Museum also owns this image.

Sea Captain San Francisco Cabinet Card
Written on the album page that this San Francisco cabinet card came out of (according to the seller) was "Charles Johnson, sea captain."
Would his be Charles Johnson of the SS Spokane?


Daguerreotype of an unidentified sea captain or sailor holding a telescope, wearing earrings, circa 1845.
Daguerreotype of a sailor or sea captain holding a telescope. He is wearing earrings. Circa 1845. Recognize him?

Daguerreotype of two New Bedford women. This dag was carried to Honolulu, Hawaii, probably on a whaling ship.
This 6th plate daguerreotype appears to show a mother and daughter, or maybe sisters, with their arms entwined. The image was taken in New Bedford, Mass., and eventually carried to Hawaii. One would presume that they are from a New Bedford area whaling family.
 Written behind the image is "Taken by James H. Williams, Liberty Hall, New Bedford, Nov 23rd 1852."  "Refitted by Wm F. Howland, Honolulu, H.I. 1857."
William F. Howland was a photographer (ambrotypist) in Honolulu. Why the daguerreotype needed "refitting" is not known. If anyone recognizes these women, please contact me. Thanks! (keywords New Bedford history, New Bedford families, New Bedford genealogy, Dartmouth Massachusetts history, Dartmouth Massachusetts families, Dartmouth Massachusetts genealogy, Acushnet history, Acushnet families, Acushnet genealogy, Fairhaven Massachusetts history, Fairhaven Massachusetts families, Fairhaven Massachusetts genealogy).

Daguerreotype photograph from Luscomb House in Salem Mass.
The above daguerreotype, circa 1850, is accompanied with a typewritten note that states "This came from the Luscomb House in Salem. Given me by Miss Emma M. Luscomb. It may be of Sir Franklin Simmons, or Arthur Brookhouse, or one of the Luscombs." Could it be Leonard F. Luscomb of New Bedford?

This daguerreotype of an unknown man was taken by Dupee. According to John Craig's entry in his Craig's Daguerreian Registry, Isaac H. Dupee is
"listed as a daguerreian and dealer in daguerreian supplies, Granite Hall, Water Street, Augusta, Maine, 1855, 1856. He was also listed as a daguerreian in Bath, Maine in 1855 and 1856, and was noted in Bangor, Maine, dates unknown. In 1859, 1860 he was listed as a daguerreotypist in Portland, Maine, at 130 and 134 Middle Street, at the old stand of J.W.C. Morrison. Information corrected to November, 1997." Could he be a shipbuilder or involved is a maritime trade? Anyone recognize him? If so, please drop me a line at dick@AlaskaWanted.com
Thanks!

 Isaac H. Dupee daguerreotype of an unidentified man. Recognize him?




An important 6th plate ambrotype of a New Bedford sailor (he is wearing earrings).
The brass mat is stamped "C. E. Hawes, New Bedford."
The man is in his twenties or thirties and is probably either an African American,
an American Indian (Wampanoag?), or a Cape Verde Native.
Either way it is an important early whaling image. Circa 1855-1860.
Anyone recognize him or his ethnicity?
If so, please drop me a line at dick@AlaskaWanted.com
Thanks!
 Ambrotype of a New Bedford sailor.


Edward S. Dunshee ambrotype of a possible whaling captain.

Edward S. Dunshee

Here is an ambrotype by the photographer Edward S. Dunshee. He had photographic studios in Fall River, Mass, circa 1853-7;  in Bristol, R. I., circa 1855-6; and in New Bedford  1856 to 1860 making ambrotypes. His specialized in making "ambrotypes for sea travel." Perhaps this man was a whaling captain? Anyone recognize him?




New Bedford

Unidentified New Bedford man,  carte de visite by C. Cook and Son, 62 Purchase Street, New Bedford, Mass. Perhaps a whaler?
1864-1866
 Unidentified New Bedford man carte de visite.

Unidentified daguerreotype of a sailor.

This daguerreotype in my collection shows a seaman, presumably. It was taken in 1854, give or take a year.  Maybe he was a purser on a passenger ship or clipper. Anyone recognize him? Does anyone know of a shipping line or passenger line from the 1850's that used a crown insignia on their caps?





Daguerreotype of a sailor with earrings.
Daguerreotype of a young sailor with earrings. He doesn't look very happy. Maybe he is about to ship out for a few years on a whaling voyage, or maybe he just got back and discovered that his girl married someone else. Recognize him?

Questions? Click here to send me an email
dick@AlaskaWanted.com

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