D06-161. WAS HE WEARING . . . a small shrub across the bottom of his face? After examining the subject carefully with a loupe I have decided that the wiry hair actually was his own. There goes my initial theme that he was a traveling horticulturist . . . Low and behold, upon looking into his eyes the entire interior of the daguerreian's very narrow studio was revealed ! The main source of illumination was directly above and behind the camera (seen as a dark shape along with the maker in the center of the gent's pupils). One wall was white and opposite was a smaller bright reflector. Factually speaking, there was enough light bouncing around in the tiny space to actually allow us to see the reflection of the front element of the camera's lens. I have never seen so much information previously in a sealed sixth sized dag. I wonder what type of pin that beard obscured? And what is that decorative embroidery on the breast of his jacket? Was the man a small town "slicker" or some person of honest importance? The patina is uneven inside the brass oval mat. There are white specks on his jacket. My scan is an excellent representation of an enigmatic patron who is held in the bottom of a worn leather case. $285