An absolutely gorgeous half-plate daguerreotype study of a woman and her three children. All of the children appear dressed "to the nines"; the mother is apparently seated, holding her young daughter who is also probably on a high stoool. The young boys, each in a pair of plaid pants, stand on either side to complete the family photo. The image is unsealed, and housed in a standard leather/wood double-clasp case. Imprinted in the dark green velvet liner is Collins's Sky Light Portraits, 100 Chestnut St AB 3d, Phila . This image clearly demonstrates the quality of Collins' work -- the posing is dynamic, and the execution flawless. This image also demonstrates starkly the severe limitations of some of the early daguerreian optics. The mother and daughter are captured with a clarity and sharpness which is rare in a daguerreian portait; the two boys, at the edge of the image, are not nearly in as sharp focus, as the lens quality "falls off." Thomas P. Collins and D.C. Collins were in business at the Chestnut Street address from 1847 until 1851. $1,100.00