The Staff of the Express


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Unidentified Artist
The Staff of the Express , n.d., quarter plate.
Collection of National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution,
Museum purchase from the Charles Issacs Collection, made possible
in part by the Luisita L., and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment
See at actual plate size

Working in the office of the newspaper, rather than his own studio, the daguerreotypist has brought all the occupations of the newspaper office together. The editor is posed with his quill, while the publisher, or perhaps an assistant editor looks on. The staff stands behind them with the objects that identify their trade---the compositor with his tray of type, the printer with his chase. A composing stick, reversed in the image, can be seen at the extreme right, possibly under the copyboy's arm.

Merry A. Foresta, Secrets of the Dark Chamber



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