Cut by Isaac Todd (Baltimore, MD, active 1805 -1812), both hollow cut of wove paper, the first of a gentleman, original backing of frame identifies the sitter as W. Thorne and the date "1805," it further states he "Died April 3rd 1807 / aged 74 years.' An additional entry reads "1731-1807"; housed in round painted frame. The silhouette has some loss to edges due to brittleness but is with original black paper backing; the second of a woman with very finely cut facial features and wearing a mop cap, identified en verso in same hand as "Mrs. Martha Thorne / 1805 / North Carolina," a later inscription reads "Wife of Dr. Samuel Thone"; an early taped repair, with later paper backing. Both with Todd's impressed stamp "Todd's Patent" and housed in likely original painted round frames. Research is ongoing on the work and life of Issac Todd, whose Todd's Patent stamp had been a mystery. It is through the work of Sue Anderson that the identity became known. Appreciation is expressed to Ms. Anderson and to Peggy McClard for so generously sharing the information and results of their laborious research. From Ms. McClard we learned that Mr. Todd advertised in Charleston, SC that he "received liberal encouragement during nearly four years in New York, Baltimore, Alexandria, New Orleans and several small towns." Perhaps one of these small towns was here in North Carolina where he met our sitters.

SS 3 in.; DOA 4.5 in.

From a Private Collection, Asheboro, North Carolina. Family name available to purchaser.

$300 - 600