Dolley Payne Todd Madison (1768-1849) conducted the White House's social life during the presidencies of Thomas Jefferson and her husband, James Madison. The "queen of Washington society," she reigned over the nation's capital for nearly 50 years. Madison is pictured here wearing a shawl given to her by friend Julia Dearborn Wingate of Portland.

Gifted to Maine Historical Society in 1917 by one of Wingate's descendants, this daguerreotype was for many years attributed to famed American photographer Matthew Brady's studio. Madison sat for Brady shortly before her death in 1849. However, in 2024, a companion daguerreotype—nearly identical but without Madison's hands visible and a slightly different smile—came to auction. It included a contemporary attribution notice which read "Plumbe National Daguerrian Depot, New York." The auctioned image was purchased by the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery

Extensive research by Sotheby's and New York Times journalist Jennifer Schessler for an article entitled "Hello, Dolley? Earliest Known Photograph of a First Lady Comes to Auction" (retrieved June 17, 2024) positions John Plumbe, Jr. (1809-1857) as the photographer for both Madison daguerreotypes. This newly discovered information dates both images to May of 1846.