John Temple is identified by two period inscriptions affixed to the exterior of his leather case, one a red-bordered octagonal label reading "John Temple, Brother, Chestnut St., April 1849" and the other a larger paper slip reading "John Temple, 1820, Love by Mrs. H.R. Yocum," placing this daguerreotype firmly in Philadelphia during the brief but prolific partnership of Van Loan and Ennis. The sixth plate image is a seated three-quarter-length portrait, made at the gallery of Samuel Van Loan and Thomas L. Ennis at 118 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, active together around 1850 to 1851.

Temple sits in a carved upholstered chair with his legs crossed and his right hand resting loosely on his knee, wearing a dark frock coat, a glossy satin waistcoat, a high white stock collar, and a loosely knotted cravat. His brown hair is swept to one side, his expression is composed and direct, and applied hand-coloring warms his cheeks. The gilt mat is die-stamped in a scrolled bracket shape, set against a gold-flecked velvet liner.

Van Loan was one of Philadelphia's most active daguerreians of the early 1850s, advertising more than 20,000 sitters during 1849 to 1851, and the Van Loan and Ennis partnership appears in both city directories and period gallery advertisements from 1850 and 1851 before the studio transitioned to Van Loan and Housekeeper.

The red velvet pad inside the case lid bears the embossed studio imprint "Van Loan & Ennis Gallery, 118 Chestnut St., Philada," surmounted by an eagle with spread wings.

Property of a Palmer, Massachusetts gentleman.