That was only one of the thoughts I had while studying the lad?s extremely close up frame filling retaped sixth plate daguerreotype. After sharing the portrait with another person, we both concluded that the lad rolled them underneath his jacket so he could dramatically hook his thumbs inside that checkered vest. The boy had clear bright blue eyes and closely watched his maker while he produced this remarkable likeness. Tinting was added to his client?s cheeks! Of course, because the lens was very near the sitter, his beefy hands were quite distorted. I believe the dag was made circa 1846. When the image is viewed in the bottom of a leather case the tones and colors are very changeable. None of those specks and flecks are bothersome.