The brass mat, puffed up style of the lady’s hair and her elaborate costume she wore when this retaped sixth plate daguerreian portrait was done indicate to me that she visited her maker in the mid-1850s. The use of a white backdrop was certainly seen more frequently in the second decade of daguerreotypy. I was very impressed when I opened the common thermoplastic case (with very loose hinges) to note the extensive range of tones. The young wife peered directly into the lens and her stretched out pose filled the bottom of the frame. Added color accentuated her flesh tones and the tablecloth. The condition of the likeness is exceptionally fine.
