D03-35. BEING DECEPTIVE? Casey had written a rather vivid description questioning the gender of the sitter in this sixth plate portrait. I tend to agree that there is reason for doubt in my own mind. However, after really thinking about all the components, why would a guy dress up like a woman and then have a daguerreotype taken? The subject's face is strong enough and that hair might have been parted in the center for the visit. Casey noted that the hands were cloaked in kid gloves, which wasn't unusual. He mentioned that the person's breasts didn't appear normal and I suggested that maybe the top of a whalebone corset was out of control underneath the cape. Whatever the real circumstances were, we will never know for certain. I can tell you that there is mild visible tarnish and a few mold mites. The surface has a pleasant tonality and a competent operator produced the likeness. It has been resealed and is kept in a nice two-toned brown leather case that has a deeply embossed floral design on the cover and a geometric impression on the reverse. $220