A sixth plate ambrotype showing an unidentified young boy seated in a studio interior, posed formally and facing the camera. He wears a light-colored shirt with gathered sleeves and a broad-brimmed straw hat. The boy holds a slender buggy whip upright in one hand, while his other hand rests on a small stack of books placed beside him. The image is an ambrotype, recognizable by its soft gray tonal range and presentation behind glass, and likely dates to the mid to late 1850s based on photographic format, clothing, and studio props.

The inclusion of both a buggy whip and books suggests a carefully constructed studio composition balancing symbols of rural or practical life with education or literacy. Buggy whips were common accessories in 19th-century studios, often used to convey maturity, responsibility, or familiarity with horse-drawn transport. Books similarly appear in period portraits as markers of learning or aspiration, particularly in images of children. The boy’s steady expression and upright posture reflect the formality expected during long exposure times.

The ambrotype is housed in a full case with a gilt brass mat featuring a scalloped window opening and decorative outer border. No photographer’s imprint, inscription, or identifying text is visible.