Featured in this lot are four portrait Daguerreotypes and three Daguerreotype metal frames circa 1860-1890s. Developed by Frenchman Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre in the 1830s and made public in 1839, the Daguerreotype method was a turning point in photography history. It required several crucial actions. The light-sensitive medium was a highly polished copper plate coated with silver. Iodine fumes were used to sensitize this plate, coating the surface with a layer of silver iodide, then the camera lens is focused and the image is 'burned' onto the sensitized plate. Depending on the lighting, the exposure time could range from seconds to minutes. The latent image was made visible after the plate had been exposed using mercury vapor development. It was then fixed with sodium thiosulfate solution, removing any hidden silver iodide. After the process, the daguerreotypes produced a highly detailed and sharp image, becoming the popular choice for portraiture in the mid-19th century. The first portrait Daguerreotype shows a woman sitting in a chair looking towards the viewer. She has shorter hair and is wearing a nice dress. This Daguerreotype does not have an attached frame. The second and largest Daguerreotype shows a young boy in a nice button up shirt sitting in a chair, looking directly towards the viewer. This Daguerreotype is set in a nice, black wood frame with a gold colored frame set over the photo. The third Daguerreotype is a smaller, oval shaped photo showing a portrait of a man. He has a large beard and is looking towards the left of the viewer. The back of the case has a pin so the Daguerreotype can be worn or pinned up. The fourth and final Daguerreotype shows a baby girl in a plaid dress looking towards the viewer. The photo is set in a silver case with stones around the border. The back features a small hoop to wear the photo as a necklace and a pin so it can be worn or pinned up. The three, thin, gold colored metal frames vary in size and design with two showing an oval shape in the center and the third showing a rounded square shape in the center. They are decorated with floral designs on the borders throughout the entire piece. The photos and frames show good condition overall with wear present from their age and use over the years. No signs of major damage is noted. The photos measure from 1 9/16" L x 1 1/4" W x 3/8" D to 2 7/8" L x 2 3/8" W x 3/8" D. The frames measure 3 3/16" L x 2 11/16" W to 2 1/2" L x 2" W.