Graves, Louise B., collector. Reproductions of the Emily Dickinson daguerreotype: Guide.

Houghton Library, Harvard College Library

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Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138

Last update 2009 January 28

Descriptive Summary

Repository: Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
Location: b
Call No.: MS Am 1118.15
Creator: Graves, Louise B., collector.
Title: Reproductions of the Emily Dickinson daguerreotype,
Date(s): ca. 1897 and 1978.
Quantity: 1 box (.3 linear ft.)
Abstract: Photographs and negatives of, and letters concerning, the various stages of the retouching of reproductions of the Emily Dickinson daguerreotype portrait.
Language of materials: Collection materials are in English.

Processing Information:

Processed by: Bonnie B. Salt

Acquisition Information:

*99M-3. MS Am 1118.15 (1) Gift of Amherst College Library, 1978 Mar. 31.

*46M-286; *46M-287; *46M-288; *46M-289; and *46M-291. Gift of Miss Louise B. Graves, 56 River Street, Boston, Mass.; received: 1947 May 12.

Access Restrictions:

There are no restrictions on physical access to this material.

Preferred Citation for Publication:

Graves, Louise B., collector. Reproductions of the Emily Dickinson daguerreotype (MS Am 1118.15). Houghton Library, Harvard University.

Historical Note

Emily Dickinson was an American poet.

Scope and Content

The original daguerreotype portrait of Emily Dickinson (taken ca. 1847) is now owned by the Amherst College Library. Reproductions of this image were retouched by Laura Coombs Hills, ca. 1897. The photographs and negatives in this collection depict the various stages of the retouching. Also includes letters concerning the portrait.

Related Material

See also: MS Am 1118.99b (23) for additional material concerning the retouching of the ED daguerreotype image; and also the Curatorial file for additional comment on this collection of images.

Container List

(1) Dickinson, Emily, 1830-1886. Portrait, 1978. 1 item: photograph.
Caption on recto: "Photograph of the unretouched and unframed daguerreotype [ca. 1847] of E.D. owned by the Amherst College Library. Presented by Amherst College Library [March 31,] 1978. Permissions sh[oul]d be granted only by Amherst College Library."

This item is for reference use only, not to be reproduced.

*99M-3.

(2) Dickinson, Emily, 1830-1886. Portrait, undated. 2 items: 1 photograph and 1 negative.
Photograph annotated on verso: "Emily Dickinson of Amherst when about 17 years old taken from a daguerreotype which her sister Cousin Lavinia Dickinson gave me to have copied, Gertrude M. Graves. Sep 23. I am sending today another copy of this to her niece Mme. Bianchi. G.M Graves."

Image is possibly slightly altered from image in item (1).

*46M-287.

(3) Dickinson, Emily, 1830-1886. Portrait [with altered hairline], undated. 4 items: 3 photographs and 1 negative.
This image is an altered version of the ED daguerreotype.

Labeled "first stage" by L.B. Graves.

*46M-288.

(4) Dickinson, Emily, 1830-1886. Portrait [with fluffy hairstyle and white scarf-type collar], undated. 2 items: 1 photograph and 1 negative.
This image is a further altered version of the ED daguerreotype.

Labeled "intermediate stage" by L.B. Graves.

*46M-286.

(5) Dickinson, Emily, 1830-1886. Portrait [with fluffy hairstyle, stand-up ruffled collar, and white bodice], undated. 3 items: 3 photographs (2 framed).
This image is the final altered version of the ED daguerreotype.

Item 2 is framed in black and has label on verso: "No. A11382 Doll & Richards. 2 Park Street, Boston." Item 3 is framed in brown and has label on verso: "No. 8276 Bigelow & Jordan ... Boston, Mass." Label includes Ms. annotatations: "Picture of Emily Dickinson owned by Gertrude M. Graves [illegible] Boston, Mass."

Labeled "final state" by L.B. Graves.

*46M-289.

(6) Higginson, Thomas Wentworth, 1823-1911. 2 letters to Gertrude M. Graves, Cambridge, Mass., 1900 June 5 and 9. 1 folder.
Letters concern the daguerreotype portrait of Emily Dickinson.

*46M-291.

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