Description and scans of images of 1850s wet-plate postive photographs

2013.257.1995

Description and scans of images of 1850s wet-plate postive photographs

Documents. Two documents: (A) The first is an undated note entitled "Early pictures made at 'The Ways' " (home of the Lea family 1960s) written by George Vaux in which he describes two ca. 1850 "wet-plate positives, backed by metal plates." Two digital images in GCIHS collection, the first (D) of the ship "Express, Cranberry Isles," and the second, a wide landscape view of the Thomas Bunker wharves (C), both taken from The Ways property, may be the photos described in Vaux's note. The scans were made from photos provided by Nancy Lea ca. 2000. (2013 correspondence re: unsuccessful investigation into the whereabouts of the two original wet-plate positives was saved.) Vaux also explains that they called the house The Ways "because timbers for ships' ways were found when excavating for the basement." 2014 email from Chuck Liebow explain the photos: "Zooming in you can see another vessel "Harriett", a pinky or near double ender which Victor claimed was built by Thomas Bunker (Harriet was Thomas Bunker's wife). A 2000 email from Liebow indicates he thinks the photo shows the Thomas Bunker wharves on the site where Mrs. Lea's house is, with the Richman house with the roof half covered in snow. Liebow adds: George Vaux dated the photo to about 1852 based on the ship "Express" at the same wharf. Islesford looks funny but the Fish Point house is right where it ought to be." The second document (B) is an undated copy of a plat map (with ball point pen marks) showing the George Vaux and Robert Lea properties, Lots #30 and 31 respectively. (See also 2013.257.1987 re: modern photos of The Ways.)

1850

Paper

8" x 10"