A remarkable and unique composite advertising carte de visite (CDV) showcasing the ingenuity of early photography. Created by J. P. Piper, an ambrotypist from Battle Creek, Michigan, this piece features a self-portrait with Piper's head superimposed onto a hand-drawn caricature of his studio during a photography session. A daguerreotype or ambrotype wet plate camera is prominently depicted, along with the handwritten caption on the negative, "Baby's pictures taken In Tip Top style by J. P. Piper."

This extraordinary CDV predates modern photographic manipulation, demonstrating Piper's creativity in promoting his business. It is possible that this is the only surviving print of this type, as no others have been documented. The ink inscription, likely from Piper himself, adds to the artifact's historical significance.