Portrait of James Russell Swift (1823-1863)

ambrotype

PHOTOGRAPHS - AMBROTYPES
Balch, E.
After 1850
case 3-5/8 x 3-1/4 in.; frame 3-1/4 x 2-3/4 in.

Ambrotype, 1/6 plate; portrait of James Russell Swift (1823-1863), a merchant officer, holding a hand-painted telescope. Worn leather case with embossed starburst pattern, hinges broken, lined with red velvet with embossed leaf pattern. Ornate brass binder, gold oval mat, marked: "E. BALCH'S/ 123 BOWERY". Scrap of paper with photo reads: "James Russell/ Swift./ Father of/ Forrest W./ Swift." It is believed that Swift served aboard the schooner FOREST KING of New Bedford and NY in the late 1850's. FOREST KING (bu. 1856, Fairhaven, MA; sold foreign at some later date.)

1979.30.2