I bought and sold two other microphotographs of blood disks (taken under a microscope) by this same Dr. S.W. Fletcher of Pepperell, MA c. 1870s several months ago, and went back to my source to buy one more as I think they're so beautiful. I've learned that William Henry Fox Talbot (1800–1877) was taking photographs through a microscope as early as 1837, but it was really in the second half of the 19th century, first in Germany, that technologies (apparatus) for taking microphotographs developed. Dr. Samuel W. Fletcher (1830-1910), a distinguished Civil War surgeon, seems to have been a very early American example of a doctor to use it, upon returning to Pepperell after the war. Quite a rare and special feeling thing, which I find hugely evocative, and this one nice for being mounted to Pepperell's original printed board with attribution.
Board measures 12" x 10: Photo: 6"x6". The color of the photograph is richer in hand, kind of a lilac tone.Very good condition with some light scattered toning to the board, not at all detracting.
