sixth plate portrait of a young man housed in a pressed leather case accompany two letters written by Donald MacFarlane to his folks back home. One letter dated July 25, 1852, from Cabotville, Massachusetts recounts the beginning of Donald's trip traveling from New York to New Haven, Connecticut to Springfield, Massachusetts, and the plan to board his ship on Saturday which will take him to Australia. The second letter written from Forest Creek, Queensland is dated December 12, 1852, tells briefly of his sea voyage stating, I liked the sea very well. We had no sicknesses on board. We lost the cabin boy overboard in a squall opposite the Cape of Good Hope. After that we had a blow which lasted for about a week... and once arrived, traveled 80 miles on foot from Melbourne. Included is stampless cover with Melbourne cancellation stamp.
Condition: Some soiling and tears to letters. Daguerreotype has solar ring, finger prints and wipe marks on image.