Museum object · Slavery and Freedom Objects
Ambrotype of a white baby being held by a man
1855-1860
Smithsonian NMAAHC collection
Source catalog description
This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.
This 1/9 plate cased ambrotype depicts a white baby being held for the camera by a black man whose shoulder and hands are visible, but is otherwise unseen. The baby's cheeks have been tinted pink. The photograph is in a decorative copper-colored metal oval frame with a floral, star, and scroll motif and is held in a brown case with red textile lining. There are decorative impressions on the front and back of the case, which fastens with a small metal hook and eye closure along one edge.
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Sources & collection details
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗
Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13
Catalog reference: 2008.9.3
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