c. 1850-1855. Sixth plate. Daguerreotype. 

Rare portrait showing a young African American woman posed with poise and dignity. She gazes directly into the camera, her expression calm, exuding a quiet strength. Her hair is neatly parted and styled beneath a bonnet adorned with a ribbon, and she wears a dark dress accented with a white lace collar and cuffs—attire that reflects modest elegance and, perhaps, social aspiration. Two, small gilt embellishments, possibly a brooch and button, have been delicately hand-tinted, emphasizing the care and pride invested in her appearance.

Daguerreotypes of African American women, particularly free women of color, are among the scarcest surviving forms of antebellum portrait photography. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [African Americana, African American History, Black History, Slavery, Enslavement, Abolition, Emancipation] [USCT, United States Colored Troops, Glory, 54th Massachusetts, Buffalo Soldiers, Black Soldiers] [Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Cased Images, Union Cases, Albumen Photographs, CDVs, Carte de Visites, Cartes de Visite, Carte-de-visite, Cartes-de-visite, CDV, Cabinet Cards, Stereoviews, Stereocards]