This is a daguerreotype of Dr. Sumner Laughton, ca. 1844.

The daguerreotype process, introduced in 1839, was a relatively inexpensive way to produce a portrait likeness.

As daguerreotypes gained popularity in America, demand for likenesses of famous men and women grew. Portraits of celebrities began to be reproduced from engravings and from printed images in magazines. Galleries were opened to house collections of famous portraits.

By 1850, the ambrotype, which was less expensive, began to replace the daguerreotype.