[Middle-aged Man with Chinstrap Beard, Hand Tucked Inside Buttoned Jacket] 1840s - 1850s

This daguerreotype, created by W. & F. Langenheim in the 1840s or 1850s, depicts a middle-aged man with a chinstrap beard and hand tucked inside his buttoned jacket. The subject's serious expression and formal attire suggest a portrait commissioned to capture the sitter's professional status or personal significance. The image, housed in an ornate case lined with red velvet, highlights the growing popularity of daguerreotypes as a medium for capturing likenesses during this period. The case features a decorative floral pattern and the inscription "W. & F. Langenheim, Phila." indicating the studio's location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Daguerreotypes, known for their unique, mirror-like surface, were highly sought after for their detail and ability to capture a person's likeness with exceptional realism.