American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Approx. 4 1/4 x 5 7/8 in. daguerreotype family portrait featuring a Crimean War era French military officer, his wife, and his son dressed as a soldier. (Heavy tarnishing to edges and image deterioration, clouding, and further oxidation throughout image; not examined out of frame.) Housed in a passe-partout mount within a wood and plaster wall frame (heavy damage including loss and cracking to frame). 

Apart from the officer's Legion of Honor badge (or similar award) pinned to his frock coat and the Model 1845/55 infantry officer's sword, there is little else that can be discerned due to the condition of the plate. The boy may be a military school cadet given the high relief clipped brass belt plate, domed buttons, and distinct oak leaf insignia on his collar, though this cannot be confirmed.