A daguerreotype of a farm couple courtesy of Kevin Kunz
Toronto. Image collectors lust after all kinds of images. The farm couple at left while a bit homely to current tastes, hold some unusual items. Collectors might have included this image in their collections for many reasons (process, symbolism, subjects, etc.).
The daguerreotype icon of the couple is courtesy of the Daguerreian Society and Kevin Kunz. Our late editor, Bob Lansdale used it as a cover photograph on issue 34-4 of Photographic Canadiana. (Feb-April 2009). Bob titled the photograph, “A DAGUERREIAN PORTRAIT WITH A MYSTERY”.
He introduces the image as follows, “It seems one thing leads to another as we relate on page 8 of this issue the continued story from our previous issue of Photographic Canadiana.
“In Volume 34-2 [actually in 34-3] we explained the story of “Murdered by Her Lover” where in the year 1882 Michael Lee of Napanee, Ontario murdered Maggie Howie due to his unrequited love for her.
“The phrase “come up with the corn” was used in the newspaper report which has led us to this daguerrotype image showing a man holding a bouquet of weeds and a cob of corn. We are looking for assistance to interpret the meaning of this symbolism.”
Members eagerly read the issues of volume 34. More recently, members received a DVD of the first 40 volumes and they too could read the sad tale of mystery in the Victorian photographs of Michael Lee and Maggie Howie. Of course, you can easily become a member and read all the journal articles now on DVD. Just follow the instructions to the right.
