I have seen two stamped octagonal mats designating different daguerreians who used a similar painted background, but in this sixth plate example, I am uncertain who placed the boy on his recently re-cleaned and archivally taped portrait. Random buff marks are visible on the silver, which seemed rather strange. By 1845 when the kid sat in front of a camera, most operators had their buffing techniques perfected. I was impressed by the sharp focus on the child?s handsome face and the details seen in his shirt, vest, bowtie and part of his heavy jacket. Mat scrapes and tarnish are evident in places around him. The whole leather case is quite nice and the plain purple/red silk pad is an unusual hue.