Benedetto Pistrucci - The Original Photograph

[SohoMint]

Benedetto Pistrucci, arguably the most famous coin engraver, was born in 1783 and died 1855. He was 56 years old at the time of the first photographic portrait. Only two years before his death he was photographed by Arthur R Hamilton. This is, to my knowledge, the only time he was photographed - and could reasonably be the first photograph of a British coin engraver! 
Most of the images you will find are later (1870-90) reproductions of the original photograph - identified by the black/gray card they are mounted on. I am fortunate enough to be the owner of the original photograph from 1853, signed by the photographer - to my knowledge it is the only one made from the negative and thus the true original piece!

[Coinery]

Stunning! I LOVE that! 🙌

[oldcopper]

It's a shame photography just missed William Wyon - died 1851.

[SohoMint]

Just now, oldcopper said:

It's a shame photography just missed William Wyon - died 1851.

Very unfortunate. It would be fascinating to put the face to the name. Joseph Edgar Boehm, however, was photographed quite a lot at least! And by the looks of it he may have been a model at heart 😂

[Coinery]

35 minutes ago, SohoMint said:

Joseph Edgar Boehm, however, was photographed quite a lot at least! And by the looks of it he may have been a model at heart 😂

I was just taking a look at this man’s Public Works on the drop-down on Wikipedia…this man was prolific, what a sculptor he was!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Edgar_Boehm

[SohoMint]

12 minutes ago, Coinery said:

I was just taking a look at this man’s Public Works on the drop-down on Wikipedia…this man was prolific, what a sculptor he was!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Edgar_Boehm

He's was certainly talented! Especially given his short life time too!