A stunning and exceedingly rare pair of ninth plate ambrotypes, presented together in their original double case, capturing two mid-19th century occupational portraits—each a masterpiece of period documentation.

On the left sits a young doctor or apothecary proudly displaying an open medical kit, fully stocked with tincture bottles, tools, vials, and even what appears to be a folded chart or medical ledger. This is one of the best early occupational medical images we've seen—highly detailed, with excellent contrast and hand-tinted cheeks.

On the right, a serious-faced publisher holds a folded edition of The Centre Democrat, a Pennsylvania newspaper first issued in the 1850s. Every letter of the masthead is crystal clear under magnification, and the pose—direct, confident, and composed—speaks to a man proud of his work in the print trade.

Both ambrotypes are sharp and well-preserved, housed under original mats and preservers in a classic floral-pattern double case. Together, they form a compelling visual pairing of two educated tradesmen from antebellum America. Whether related by profession, friendship, or simple studio coincidence, the juxtaposition of medicine and media in this format is both highly unusual and historically rich.

You’ll look a long time before finding a matched occupational set like this again.