Ambrotypes
Upward / Onward. Whole plate ambrotype of a musical group, likely a church band, posed in front of an organ. Ca 1876.

5 1/4 x 7 1/2 in. (visible) ambrotype, matted and housed in an 11 x 13 in. folk art wooden frame. A group of men and women pose together with instruments in the organ loft of a church, draped with bunting and two banners reading, "1876 / Upward" and "1620 / Onward."

The image might depict congregants of (or descended from) the Pilgrim's First Church of Christ, now know as the First Parish Church of Plymouth. When Pilgrims landed in what would become Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts in December of 1620, they established the first Congregationalist church in America. The group posed in the church organ loft featured in this image are likely celebrating a milestone, tracing their origins back to that seminal establishment.

Text on the banners could also refer to a hymn titled "Onward, upward!" by Ira D. Sankey, which was published in 1876 by Ira D. Sankey.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Image loss and flaking to emulsion around edges, few other surface imperfections, center somewhat out of focus. Frame with some paint loss, expected wear.

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Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]

Katie Horstman

VP, Head of Department, American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

[email protected]513.666.4958

Ms. Horstman has spent over a decade specializing in historic photography and Americana at auction. During her tenure, she has overseen several notable single owner auctions, including property from the inventory of celebrated Americana and antique arms expert Norm Flayderman. During her time with the firm, she has maintained an active membership in the Daguerreian Society. Ms. Horstman holds an MA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Art History from The Ohio State University.

Visions of America: The Stephen White Collection

Ambrotypes
Upward / Onward. Whole plate ambrotype of a musical group, likely a church band, posed in front of an organ. Ca 1876.

Visions of America: The Stephen White Collection

AmbrotypesUpward / Onward. Whole plate ambrotype of a musical group, likely a church band, posed in front of an organ. Ca 1876.

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Ambrotypes
Upward / Onward. Whole plate ambrotype of a musical group, likely a church band, posed in front of an organ. Ca 1876.