A BIRTH MARK? Since I can’t image that the boy’s attentive mom would have permitted Mr. Germon to make a sixth plate dag of her son with a dirty face I believe that the stain was part of his complexion. Although Germon, who operated at 168 Chestnut St. in Philadelphia, was a highly skilled daguerreotypist, this might have been an example when his focus was not perfect. The kid could have moved too, while the lens was uncapped. Technically speaking the presentation was fine. Lots of flotsam and jetsam are on the surface plus a broad tarnish ring.
