Giant Daguerreotypes and Microscopic Portraits
In March 1849, Mayall exhibited "the largest daguerreotype portraits ever taken in 'England". In The Times newspaper of July 1, 1850, Mayall claimed that he could "take portraits from 30 inches in length down to the microscopic size." (The Science Museum of London possesses a large daguerreotype portrait from this period which measures 29 inches by 25 inches.)
He applied his skills in microphotography to produce very small portraits which could be set in jewellery. A memorial ring in gold and black enamel, containing a microphotograph of Albert, Prince Consort, believed to have been taken by Mayall in 1861, is held today in the Royal Family's Photograph Collection.
Read more about this topic: John Jabez Edwin Mayall
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