Jeanne,

You might want to contact Deborah Willis-Thomas, an art historian and photographer. I know she used to work at the Smithsonian Institution, but I'm not certain if she's still there. She published a book on J. P. Ball's photographs in 1993 titled, J. P. Ball, Daguerrean and Studio Photographer (ISBN 0815307160). I believe she did an extensive amount of research on his photographs and possibly his background. The Smithsonian mounted an exhibit several years ago that included Ball's work.

From time to time, some of Ball's photographs are offered for sale on Ebay. But there are also several antique dealers who sell his photos.