A young man seated in three-quarter view anchors this half plate daguerreotype, produced by the Philadelphia partnership of James Earle McClees and Washington L. Germon, active together at the corner of Chestnut and Eighth Streets from 1848 to 1855. The firm was among the most prominent daguerreian studios in antebellum Philadelphia, and the quality of the portrait reflects their well-established reputation during that period.

The subject wears a dark frock coat over a patterned waistcoat, with a white shirt and loosely knotted cravat at the collar. His dark auburn hair is swept to one side, and his expression is composed and direct. He is seated with one arm resting to the side, his posture relaxed but upright, against a plain dark background framed by a gilt oval mat set into gold embossed paper.

McClees began his photographic career in Philadelphia in 1844 under M.P. Simons and formed his partnership with Germon by 1847. The studio at Chestnut and Eighth was active through 1855, placing this portrait firmly within that window of operation.

The photographer's imprint label reads: "McClees and Germon, cor. Chestnut and 8th Sts., Philada." The image is housed in a leather case with embossed floral decoration on both covers and a purple satin interior pad opposite.

Property of a Palmer, Massachusetts gentleman.