1714/​6526

Unique daguerreotypes from the Danish West Indies

Purchased by The National Museum of Photography at The Royal Danish Library

A large collection of 12 daguerreotypes and 1 ambrotype with relations to the family of Jørgen Levin Rohde, captain and commander at St. Thomas, The Danish West Indies (Virgin Islands), 1840's-1850's. The collection includes 1 portrait of the commander him self, 2 of him and his wife Louise (born Brown), 1 double portrait of their two daugthers, 1 portrait of the commander, his wife and one daughter, 2 portraits of their black servants and also a number of unidentified portraits, probably with relations to the Rohde family. The ambrotype and daguerreotypes are housed in contemporary cases, some American style and some European style. Two are from the American photographer John Keenan, 248 South Second Street, Philadelphia. Various sizes, largest measure, 11×8 cm, smallest 7×6 cm.

Enclosed two poetry books from the daughter of Jørgen Levin Rohde, Anni Marie Louise Rohde. One is dated 1842. Last entry dated 1850. Richly illustrated with original drawings in ink and watercolours, several depict sights from the Danish West Indies, executed by members of the Rohde family.

This rare collection includes daguerreotypes of the family and household of Danish captain, commander and author Jørgen Levin Rohde (1786–1857) who was born in The Danish West Indies. From an early age he was enlisted in the Royal Danish Navy and made a carreer for him self, rapidly rising through the ranks. In 1821 he married the young daughter of a plantation owner from the islands, Louise Brown (1806–1850). The couple had four sons and the two daughters Wilhelmine Frederikke and Anni Marie Louise, who are both depicted on some of the daguerrotypes. Also in the collcection are two photographs of Rohde's young son John Louis' personal waiter and the family wet-nurse from St. Thomas. Daguerrotypes were a unique and expensive way of photographing and thus it is very rare to see this type of photographs of local servants or slaves.

In the drawings and letters enclosed in the poetry albums there are also sketches of the Rohde family's home in St. Thomas, Louisenhøj, exotic views, plants and animals of the Islands. There is also a letter to Commander Rohde regarding the death of his wife Louise Brown in september 1850.

J.L. Rohde is also known for his work as cartographer of St. Thomas and in 1828 he published a highly regarded work on the codes of signals at sea, “The Universal Sea Language”, which was translated and published in several countries.

Condition

To see the full list of daguerreotype please contact the department. Preview recommended. The daguerrotypes are generally with signs of age, some with a few cracks or wrinkles to the skin of the cases. They were restored by an expert in the 1960s. Note about this included. The large poetry book is marked by use and has a defect spine and a few loose leaves.

Auction

Photographs, 4 April 2017

Category

Photos ▸ Vintage

Estimate

20,000–30,000 DKK

Sold

Price realised

60,000 DKK  

22 bids

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