A sixth-plate daguerreotype portrait of an unidentified young man, housed in a thermoplastic union case, produced by the studio of S.A. Holmes at Broadway, New York City. The imprint visible on the gilt mat reads "Holmes" and "Broadway," consistent with Holmes's documented address at 289 Broadway, where he operated continuously from 1850 to 1859. The period styling and case construction place this portrait within that active decade.

The subject is shown in a bust-length oval composition, wearing a dark frock coat, white collared shirt, and a large loosely tied black cravat. His dark hair is full and swept back from his forehead, and his expression is composed and direct. The gilt mat features an ornate floral and foliate embossed border, set against a deep amber paper background within the case.

S.A. Holmes, also recorded as Samuel or S.M. Holmes, was one of New York City's prominent daguerreotypists of the 1850s, known for his association with C.C. Harrison, his 1854 patent for a double camera for stereoscopic and standard images, and his longtime studio presence at 289 Broadway in the LaFarge Buildings.

The thermoplastic case exterior displays an embossed oval medallion design with scrollwork borders; the interior lid retains its original dark red velvet with an embossed decorative cartouche.