Sixth plate studio portrait daguerreotype. N.p. [England?], ca. 1850–1855. Housed in a full dark leatherette case; interior lid retains an embossed emerald-green velvet facing pad.

An exceptional, full-length martial studio portrait of a young cadet posed seated upon a field snare drum. Laid across his lap is an unusual weapon: a polearm halberd with crescent axe blade and spear point, fitted with a small swallowtail or guidon flag. The young subject grasps an English Pattern 1848 Brunswick Rifle saber bayonet in his right hand. 

Antebellum military imagery capturing very young enlistees or military academy students with a complete ensemble of regulation dress, accoutrements, drum, edged weapons, and identified flags is vanishingly rare. The combination of the saber bayonet, snare drum seat, and halberd guidon makes this one of the most visually dense juvenile military portraits known.

[Daguerreotype, Sixth Plate, Antebellum Militia, Cadet, Child Soldier, Drummer Boy, New York, NY, Artillery, Model 1832 Foot Artillery Sword, Halberd, Polearm, Guidon, Flag, Shako, Crossed Cannons, Snare Drum, Green Velvet, Cased Image, 1850s Photography, Militaria]

Good to very good condition. Strong clarity and fine contrast throughout. The plate exhibits scattered pinpoint dusting, fine wipes, and an area of clouding in the upper right background field, remaining stable under the glass.