145 of 201 lots
145
Ambrotypes Upward / Onward. Whole plate ambrotype of a musical group, likely a church band, posed in front of an organ. Ca 1876.
Estimate: $500-$700
Sold
$400
Live Auction
Visions of America: The Stephen White Collection
Location
Cincinnati
Description

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.

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