ONE MORE for dating please

[PrueM]

A very odd coincidence...
I was looking on eBay for some more photos for my collection, when I came across this:
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0jlh/

I immediately sent Chris a PM to let him know that I'd found a duplicate of his profile picture, but then I found this thread which has a larger version - and it's IDENTICAL in every respect to the one for sale, right down to the position and size of the dust specks 

What do you all make of this?  It has to be the same picture, right?

Cheers
Prue

[Gadget]

The same one, Prue, As you say, right down to the blemishes and size! It was last updated 24 June 2011- 3 months before Chris put this  up   

gnu

[Joyful]

Are they both original? Perhaps there were copies made?

Just trying to  work it out

Joy

[Joyful]

What does 'sixth plate Daguerrotype' mean

[chinakay]

Refers to size....the plate the photo is made on is cut into 6 photos, so it's actually a 1/6th of a plate. Some are ninths, very small, and once in a while you see a 1/2.

[jim1]

Well done Prue,so this is a daguerreotype hence the price which makes it a bit earlier than I estimated.It's in lovely condition.
So are you going to buy it,a snip at $645.

jim

[PrueM]

Are they both original? Perhaps there were copies made?

The daguerreotype is an original, not sure about the one that Chris posted, but I suspect it's the same digital photo that is presented on the eBay page.

No, Jim, my budget doesn't quite stretch to that!  Although it's a beautiful image, nary a blemish on it which is unusual for a daguerreotype (and makes me think the seller has that wrong, and it's actually something else...)

[jim1]

Would any other type of image command that price?

jim

[PrueM]

Oh, definitely.  There are a few half and full-plate ambrotypes for sale on eBay that are over a thousand dollars apiece.  Size matters, as does subject matter.  And if it's by a named, famous photographer - forgeddaboudit!