ADMIRAL DOT.

[Tyler T]

Hi I was looking through a very very old family photo album and I came across this little photo. I looked it up online and I couldn't find a picture of the one I have .I am wondering if mine may be rare. Or of any value. Thanks for reading!

[Pelady]

Probably saw 50 different pictures of him online.  Just the labeling on the photo means these had muliple copies that where used for advertising and sale.

From a NYT article on PTBarnum:
“For almost two decades Barnum advertised chiefly through written ads, color lithographs and banners that could exaggerate the features of his exhibits. But by the 1860's, the invention of mass-produced "carte-de-visite" photographs offered a new product for him to sell. And so, one by one or in groups, Barnum's "curiosities" made their way to the photography studio of Mathew B. Brady, whose business had prospered partly from Barnum's patronage.          thousands of finished pictures were available for 25 cents apiece.“

Past sales records from eBay of Admiral Dot Photos run from $15 to $80 .

[mart]

I have seen that one !!

[SophieMarie]

Me too, Mart!!!

[KC]

They made so many marketing/publicity pictures at the same time to capture him. 

Take a look at this photo stating that it was made when he was 13 years old!  Notice the drapery?  Notice it is in the very same wrinkles/condition as the picture you have that says he is 14 years old?  Same outfit except with a hat.  Different prop to the left.



It was very common to take a picture alongside a "common item: such as a chair that everyone could relate to in order to form a opinion on size.  (Much like we ask people here on the forum to take a picture of objects next to a coin or dollar bill if a measurement isn't available in order to give an idea of proportion.)