Michael Miley Color Photograph

Q: I have a color photograph made by Michael Miley, a pioneer in color photography. The photograph is of a painting of a woman in a red scarf. It’s in an ornate gilt frame. What’s it worth?

A: The first color prints in the United States were made by Michael Miley (1841-1918). He and his son, Henry, filed an application for a patent on their process of producing color photographs on March 28, 1902. The patent was assigned to the Miley Colour Photograph Company of New York. The process involved using plates and screens in red, green, and violet to produce color. Only about 500 color prints were made by Miley. The value of your photograph depends on rarity, condition, and subject matter. A rare color photograph of Peale’s 1772 painting of George Washington sold for $1,888 at auction a few years ago. The portrait of a woman in a red scarf has been reproduced many times. Your photograph should be seen by an expert in photography to see if it’s an original photograph or a print and to determine the value.