Visions of America: The Stephen White Collection

Whole plate daguerreotype featuring image of original painting produced by celebrated American artist, T.H. Matteson (1813-1884), The Pilgrims Signing the Compact, on board the Mayflower, Nov. 11th, 1620, painted ca 1859. Uncredited, though it has been suggested that the photographer could be Washington V. Peale.

Provenance: Private purchase; Cowan's, American History, 23 June 2011, Lot 165; Purportedly acquired by previous owner from a Vermont family whose lineage can be traced directly to the family of American patriot, John Jay, among others. John Jay's sister, Sarah Jay, married Oliver Waldron, and their grandson, James M. Byrne (1816-1899), was the great great grandfather of the individual from which the previous consignor acquired the images (auction notes).

From 1851 to 1856, W.V. Peale was listed as a photographer at 147 Spruce St. in Philadelphia, and he is probably the same "Peale" noted in a different directory as working at 159 Chestnut St. in 1854. Again, he is probably the same "Washington Peale" listed as a daguerreotypist in New Haven, CT from 1857-1858. There he is listed without a business address, but he resided at 70 Bradley St. From 1859-1860, he was listed in New York City, working at 363 Broadway and living at 174 Tenth Ave. The 1860 census of New York City identifies Peale as a photographer living with his wife and two children. By 1860, Matteson had moved from New York City, where he once owned a studio, to Sherburne, NY, where he remained until his death. However, he was an associate of the National Academy of Design in New York City and exhibited frequently there through 1869, so it possible that Peale came into contact with Matteson's work at the National Academy.