To a Lock Of Hair
Sir Walter Scott
(1771 – 1832)
Thy hue, dear pledge, is pure and bright
As in that well - remember`d night
When first thy mystic braid was wove,
And first my Agnes whisper`d love.
The images above show how clothing, ribbons and human hair were used along with 19th century photographs to preserve the memory of a loved one. The gift of a lock of hair was the most personal material sign of shared affection and treasured in pocket books and wallets.
Portrait of a young girl
1850 (ca)
Girl wearing dress with piece of material from the same dress pinned to opposite side of case. The colors of the snippet of material are as fresh as when the material was first made, probably since it was protected from the environment in the closed daguerreotype case. This gives us an unusual chance to see how some colors reproduce in a daguerreotype. Note the design is printed on the cloth as opposed to being woven.
Though not really an "occupational", it seemed the girl was so proud of the dress that she wanted to send a message forward concerning its presence in the image.
Collection M.R.Isenburg
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