T.R. Burnham of Bangor created this ambrotype copy of an early nineteenth century silhouette of an unidentified young woman. Between 1790 and 1840, silhouettes were an inexpensive alternative to portrait miniatures. Like painted miniatures, silhouettes were largely replaced photography after the 1840s, but in this case, photography was used to reproduce a visual record of a possible family member or friend.

On the reverse of image is a paper label that reads "T.R. Burnham, / Daguerreotypist, / Ambrotypist, / and / Photographist. / Rooms, / No. 2 1-2 Strickland's Block, / Next door to Telegraph Office, / Bangor, Me."