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Collection Number: P0008

Collection Title: Daguerreotype Collection, circa 1839-1860

This collection has access restrictions. For details, please see the restrictions.

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the Duplication Policy section for more information.

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Size 3.0 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 14 items)
Abstract The Daguerreotype Collection contains 14 images taken of individuals and couples seated or standing for portraits, circa 1839-1860. Individuals appearing in the images have been identified whenever possible. Known individuals are listed as subject access points. All of the images in this collection are encased with the exception of one framed item. Included are images of John Calvin McNair, who endowed a lecture series on science and religion at the University of North Carolina and an image of a painting of Richard Bennehan of the Cameron family of Orange County, N.C.
Curatorial Unit University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. North Carolina Collection.
Language English
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Restrictions to Access
The items in this collection are extremely fragile due to their age, the materials used to make them, and the fact that they are all unique originals. Daguerreotypes have no equivalent of a negative and cannot be physically reproduced. Researchers may be presented with a digital copy instead of original materials if the Photographic Archivist has determined the original should not be handled.
Restrictions to Use
No usage restrictions.
Copyright Notice
Materials in public domain.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Daguerreotype Collection (P0008), year image was made [when known], North Carolina Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library.
Acquisitions Information
The items in this collection came to the North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives from the Southern Historical Collection (#4090) and a number of different and unrelated sources.
Sensitive Materials Statement
Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. § 132 1 et seq.), and Article 7 of the North Carolina State Personnel Act (Privacy of State Employee Personnel Records, N.C.G.S. § 126-22 et seq.). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill assumes no responsibility.
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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Processing Information

Processed by: North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives, 1997 and Patrick Cullom, 2011

Encoded by: Patrick Cullom, January 2011

Updated by: Patrick Cullom, March 2021

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Subject Headings

The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.

Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Historical Information

Daguerreotypes are considered to be the first photographic process that produced images that could be made widely available to the general public, due to the relative simplicity of the process and high quality of the images produced. The process was originally developed in France by Louis M. Daguerre in 1839 and was improved upon until the process was superseded by other simpler photographic processes that produced higher quality images (such as ambrotypes and tintypes). At the base of the daguerreotype is a silver-coated copper plate that has been coated with a light-sensitive iodine residue. The plate is then exposed to light via a camera and captures an image of what is in front of the camera. The image becomes visible after further processing. These types of images were typically encased in glass to protect them and to make the copper plates more decorative. This format was in use around the world from 1839 into the early 1860s.

Daguerreotypes were in production from the late 1830s into the early 1860s. This photographic format is considered to be the first method that resulted in images that could be made widely available to the public due to the relative simplicity of the process and high quality of the images produced. The resulting images were typically encased and brought photography into the general public marketplace.

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Scope and Content

The Daguerreotype Collection contains 5 images taken of individuals and couples seated or standing for portraits, circa 1839-1860. Individuals appearing in the images have been identified whenever possible. Known individuals are listed as subject access points, as are identified locations. Included are images of John Calvin McNair, who endowed a lecture series on science and religion at the University of North Carolina and an image of a painting of Richard Bennehan of the Cameron family of Orange County, N.C. When the plates have been measured, their size is also listed. The materials came from various donors.

Daguerreotypes are typically described using the following terms:

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Contents list

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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Series 1. Daguerreotypes: From the Miscellaneous Pictures Collection, circa 1839-1860.

9 encased daguerreotypes.

Arrangement: Accession number.

Includes images of unidentified white men and women seated for portraits.

Names included with descriptions come from original accessioning notes found with materials.

Image Box IB-P0008/1

Image Folder PF-P0008/0001

Portrait of unidentified white man, circa 1843

1 encased image

1/6 plate; Accession number: 22494.
Image Box IB-P0008/1

Image Folder PF-P0008/0002

Portrait of unidentified white child, circa 1843

1 encased image

1/6 plate; Accession number: 22495.
Image Box IB-P0008/1

Image Folder PF-P0008/0003

Portrait of unidentified white man, circa 1843

1 encased image

1/6 plate; Accession number: 22496.
Image Box IB-P0008/1

Image Folder PF-P0008/0004

Portrait of unidentified white woman, circa 1843

1 encased image

1/6 plate; Accession number: 22497.
Image Box IB-P0008/1

Image Folder PF-P0008/0005

Portrait of unidentified white woman, circa 1850

1 encased image

1/6 plate; Accession number: 22498.
Image Box IB-P0008/1

Image Folder PF-P0008/0006

Portrait of two unidentified white girls, circa 1839-1860

1 encased image

1/6 plate; Accession number: 22499.
Image Box IB-P0008/1

Image Folder PF-P0008/0007

Portrait of unidentified white man, circa 1843

1 encased image

1/6 plate; Accession number: 22500.
Image Box IB-P0008/1

Image Folder PF-P0008/0008

Portrait of unidentified white woman, circa 1850

1 encased image

1/6 plate; Accession number: 22501.
Image Box IB-P0008/1

Image Folder PF-P0008/0009

Portrait of unidentified white woman, circa 1850

1 encased image

1/6 plate; Accession number: 22502.
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expand/collapse Expand/collapse Series 2. Daguerreotypes: From Various Donors, circa 1839-1860.

5 daguerreotypes (4 encased).

Arrangement: Accession number.

Includes images of Sara Jane Kollock, John Calvin McNair, James Hand, and an unidentified white man and woman pictured together.

Names included with descriptions come from original accessioning notes found with materials.

Image Box IB-P0008/1

Image Folder PF-P0008/0010

Portrait of Sara Jane Kollock, circa 1855

1 encased image

1/9 plate; Accession number: 3402.
Image Box IB-P0008/1

Image Folder PF-P0008/0011

Portrait of Mary(?) Nash, circa 1855

1 encased image

1/9 plate; Accession number: 3401. Originally labeled as Sara Jane Kollock, but is Mary Nash according to description found with original; written by Olivia Kollock.

Image Box IB-P0008/1

Image Folder PF-P0008/0012

Portrait of John Calvin McNair, circa 1855

1 encased image

Donated to University by Mrs. J.R. Boyd; Accession number: 4045.
Image Box IB-P0008/1

Image Folder PF-P0008/0013

Portrait of unidentified white man and woman, circa 1839-1860

1 encased image

1/9 plate; Accession number: 31048.
Image Box IB-P0008/1

Image Folder PF-P0008/0014

Portrait of James Hand, circa 1839-1860

1 encased image

Accession number: 31048. With copy print.
Image Box IB-P0008/2

Image Folder PF-P0008/0015

Portrait of Richard Bennehan, circa 1844

1 framed image

This image was taken of a painted portrait owned by Mrs. John Labouisse of Richard Bennehan (1747-1825), a founder of the library at the University of North Carolina.

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