Description:
Double ambrotypes in a leather and velvet-lined case of William S. Elwell (1810-1881), a Springfield artist, which is an early example of American ambrotypes. There are two marks: "Ambrotype by Bowdoin", and "CUTTING'S PATENT." David W. Bowdoin was in partnership with James Ambrose Cutting, the holder of American and British patents for the ambrotype process garnered in 1854. By 1856, the two men advertised specifically as ambrotypists. Bowdoin worked in both Salem, and Boston, Massachusetts from around 1843 to the late 1870's.

Subjects:
Textile fabrics; Leather

Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+96.040

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