An 1849 dagguereotype of what is believed to be New York City’s Upper West Side has been sold at Sotheby’s for $62,500.

The early experimental photograph was found with a note tucked behind its frame which read:

This view, was taken at too great a distance, & from ground 60 or 70 feet lower than the building; rendering the lower Story of the House, & the front Portico entirely invisible. (the handsomest part of the House.) The main road, passes between the two Post & rail fences. (called, a continuation of Broadway 60 feet wide.) It requires a maganifying glass, to clearly distinguish the Evergreens, within the circular enclosure, taken the last of October, when nearly half of the leaves were off the trees.

May 1849. L. B.

The winners of the Sotheby’s auction were Billy and Jennifer Frist of Nashville who helped exceed the minimum expected sale price of $50,000.

If you want to get a somewhat clearer picture of the image above, click on it to see a larger version.