A recently discovered daguerreotype of Dolley Madison, believed to be the earliest extant photographic portrait of a First Lady, was acquired by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. This landmark daguerreotype, capturing Madison at 78 years old, fetched $456,000 at Sotheby’s, nearly ten times its estimated value, and has become the most valuable American daguerreotype ever sold at auction.
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Valuable American daguerreotypes
The previous most valuable American daguerreotype was considered to be the portrait of Harriet Beecher Stowe. In 2007, this particular daguerreotype sold at auction for $50,000. Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” was a significant figure in American history, and the photograph’s value is attributed to her importance.
Another notable and valuable American daguerreotype is the half-plate daguerreotype of Frederick Douglass, the famed abolitionist and orator. In 2010, a daguerreotype of Douglass sold for $30,000, reflecting his historical significance.
The daguerreotype of Phineas Gage, famous for surviving a severe brain injury, is also highly valuable. It represents a significant moment in the study of neurology and psychology. While its exact auction value is less publicized, it holds immense historical and scientific value.
Daguerreotypes of well-known historical figures, unique or early images, or those with remarkable stories behind them tend to fetch high prices at auctions.
Earliest Known Photograph of an American First Lady Acquired by Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery
The sale took place during Sotheby’s auction of Fine Books and Manuscripts, Including Americana, and saw intense competition among bidders.
Ann Shumard, Senior Curator of Photographs at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, expressed the institution’s delight at acquiring this exceptional piece: “The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery is delighted to have acquired this exceptional work on behalf of the nation. It will now be preserved in perpetuity for the public.”
Dolley Madison’s Legacy Captured
This daguerreotype, likely created in early 1846 by John Plumbe, Jr., when photography was still in its infancy, is one of the few surviving photographs of Dolley Madison.
Initially attributed to Mathew Brady, new research by Sotheby’s specialists revealed Plumbe as the true creator.
Madison, a key figure in Washington society, defined the role of the First Lady during and after her husband James Madison’s presidency (1809-1817). Even after being widowed in 1836, she remained a prominent figure in Washington.
Dolley Madison was awarded an honorary seat on the floor of the House of Representatives, a privilege never before granted to a woman. In 1844, she was chosen by Samuel Morse to send the first private message via electric telegraph.
Her death in 1849 saw thousands lining the streets for her funeral procession, the largest the city had ever witnessed. President Zachary Taylor’s eulogy coined the term “First Lady,” which has since become a lasting American tradition.
Dolley Madison: A Pioneering First Lady Captured in Daguerreotype
In 1846, at the age of 78, Dolley Madison posed for a remarkable portrait that has recently made headlines.
Referred to as “the venerable Mrs. Madison,” she was still a central figure in Washington society nearly thirty years after her husband, James Madison, served as President, and a decade after her widowhood in 1836.
Her stately home on Lafayette Square, located at the corner of H Street, was just a short walk from the White House, where she was often a celebrated guest.
The House of Representatives even awarded Dolley Madison an honorary seat on the floor whenever she chose to attend its sessions, a privilege never before granted to a woman.
In 1844, Samuel Morse selected Dolley Madison to send the first private message via his newly invented electric telegraph, a message which read, “Message from Mrs. Madison. She sends her love to Mrs. Wethered.”
When Dolley Madison passed away in 1849, thousands lined the streets for her funeral, the largest the city had ever seen. President Zachary Taylor’s eulogy honored her as “the first lady of the land for half a century,” thus coining the term “First Lady,” which endures in American tradition to this day.
Dolley Madison was the wife of James Madison, the fourth President of the United States, and served as the First Lady from 1809 to 1817. Born on May 20, 1768, in Guilford County, North Carolina, Dolley Payne was raised in a Quaker family. She married John Todd in 1790, but he died in a yellow fever epidemic in 1793. In 1794, she married James Madison, who was a prominent politician and later became President.
Dolley Madison is remembered for her charm, social grace, and significant contributions to the role of First Lady. She played a crucial role in shaping the social atmosphere of Washington, D.C., hosting numerous events and gatherings that helped bridge political divisions. Her efforts in creating a hospitable and inclusive environment earned her widespread admiration and respect.
One of Dolley Madison’s most famous acts was during the War of 1812, when British forces set fire to Washington, D.C. As they approached the White House, Dolley took decisive action to save important artifacts, including the iconic portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart. Her quick thinking and bravery helped preserve a vital piece of American history.
After James Madison’s presidency, Dolley continued to be an influential figure in Washington society until her death on July 12, 1849. Her legacy as a beloved First Lady and a pioneering figure in American history endures to this day.
A Debate on Authorship
The authorship of this daguerreotype has been the subject of much debate. A variant daguerreotype of Dolley Madison in the collection of the Maine Historical Society was previously attributed to Mathew Brady, who photographed Madison in July 1848.
However, new research and close examination of this daguerreotype suggest that the actual maker was John Plumbe, Jr., and that the photograph was made considerably earlier, in the first part of 1846.
John Plumbe, Jr.: A Pioneer in Photography
John Plumbe, Jr., an English emigrant, arrived in America in 1821. He initially worked as a surveyor in Pennsylvania and later as a railroad engineer in Virginia and North Carolina.
In 1836, he moved to the Wisconsin territory and became the first person in America to lobby for a transcontinental railroad. Due to his efforts, Congress allocated funds in 1838 for a survey of a rail line from Milwaukee to the Mississippi, a crucial link in a coast-to-coast system.
Plumbe turned to photography as early as 1840 to finance his railroad plans. Within a few years, he established a chain of galleries, which might be considered the first franchised operation in U.S. history.
By 1841, he had opened daguerreotype studios in Exeter, New Hampshire, and Boston. By 1842, studios were established in Philadelphia, and by 1843, in New York City, Baltimore, Albany, and Saratoga Springs.
By the early-to-mid-1840s, he had locations as far-reaching as New Orleans, St. Louis, Dubuque, Newport, Louisville, Cincinnati, Petersburg, Norfolk, and Alexandria.
Plumbe’s Presence in Washington, D.C.
In late 1844, Plumbe opened The Plumbe National Daguerreian Gallery in Washington, D.C., at Concert Hall, located on Pennsylvania Avenue between Sixth and Seventh Streets, a short distance from Dolley Madison’s residence. During the 1840s, Plumbe also manufactured daguerreotype cases, such as the one housing the present daguerreotype of Dolley Madison.
Documented Encounter
Dolley Madison’s visitor logs document her receiving John Plumbe on February 22, 1846. Less than three months later, in May 1846, it was reported that Plumbe featured a daguerreotype of Dolley Madison, along with photographs of Presidents James Polk and John Quincy Adams, James Buchanan, Jefferson Davis, Sam Houston, and Daniel Webster, in a large exhibition coinciding with the National Fair.
The acquisition of this daguerreotype by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery not only enriches their collection but also ensures that Dolley Madison’s legacy, captured in one of the earliest known photographs of an American First Lady, will be preserved for future generations.
Smithsonian’s Expanding Collection
The acquisition of Dolley Madison’s daguerreotype adds to the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery’s esteemed collection, joining the museum’s 1843 daguerreotype of John Quincy Adams by Philip Haas, the first known photograph of a U.S. President.
This significant addition ensures that Madison’s legacy, along with her influential role in American history, will be preserved and celebrated for generations to come.
Daguerreotype of Quincy Adams by Philip Haas, 1843.
The photograph on the right is a copy by Southworth & Hawes of a now-lost original daguerreotype by Philip Haas, who was active from 1839 to 1857. Dated around 1843, this image has a complex history of attribution.
Oliver (1970) originally discussed the Metropolitan Museum’s daguerreotype as a work by Southworth & Hawes, noting two related prints that clearly attribute the original to Haas. Marder and Pierce (1995) corrected this attribution, confirming that the Metropolitan’s piece is indeed a copy of Haas’s original work. Newhall (1977) described a related plate signed by Haas, which he subsequently donated to the Metropolitan Museum, further solidifying Haas’s authorship of the original daguerreotype.
Emily Bierman, Global Head of Sotheby’s Photographs Department, highlighted the significance of the Dolley Madison’s daguerreotype:
“To see the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognize its significance and to know it will be going to such a prestigious home, where it will sit alongside the earliest photo of an American President, which we at Sotheby’s were also privileged to handle – that for me is the icing on the cake.”
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