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A bare plate (i.e. a daguerreotype without its case) seldom occurs. The casing is an essential component of the daguerreotype. This is mainly because the plates are extremely vulnerable. A good case is solid, well fitting and to a certain extent airtight. For this it has to contain the following components:
- a sturdy base or ‘back’
- a way to keep the daguerreotype in its place, by using strips of adhesive paper for example
- a cover glass to protect the surface of the plate
- a preserver to keep all the parts together and to protect the plate from harmful influences
remarkable
The case also had to look good. This was primarily expressed in colours and patterns on the mat and decorative papers. Sometimes the cover glass was decorated; at a certain moment it became fashionable to paint it. This resulted in a frame that was more even and tight than most mats. Painted cover glasses often occur in combination with mats, which provides a characteristic effect. Daguerreotypists often decorated preservers and cover papers with relief prints, for example in a diamond pattern or the form of a flower.
Detail of the rear of a painted cover glass, ca. 1848 - 1860 | Museum Joh. Enschedé, Haarlem
cassette and case
There are two types of housing for daguerreotypes: a ‘European’ model and an ‘Anglo-American’ one. In distinguishing between the two the Fotomuseum uses the terms ‘cassette’ and ‘case’. The cassette is mainly found on the European continent. This type of housing consisted chiefly of glass and paper or cardboard. It was mainly intended for use in the home, to hang the daguerreotype on the wall, for example. In order to make it more decorative this type of housing was sometimes placed in a frame, although this was not necessary. With this model the image is immediately visible.
construction of cassette
Construction of a European daguerreotype | Illustration T. Pritchard
1. Cover glass
2. Paper mat
3. Plate
4. Backing
5. Finishing paper
6. Binding
folded shut
The case was the standard housing in England and North America. It usually consisted of a wooden base covered with leather or of plastic. The case could be carried like a wallet as it was possible to fold it shut. For this it had a hinge and a clasp. The inside was lined and could hold either one or two daguerreotypes.
construction of case
Construction of an Anglo-American daguerreotype | Illustration T. Pritchard
1. ‘Preserver’; a strip of flexible brass to clamp the parts together
2. Cover glass
3. Brass mat
4. Plate
5. Hinged case
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