The daguerreotype was invented in France by Louis J.M. Daguerre and was the first practical photographic process. A dagerreotype is a unique image on metal produced by treating a copper plate with a light-sensitive coating of silver iodide.
Hold the daguerreotype in your hand and gently tilt it back and forth. The mirrored image will appear positive and then negative as the light hitting the image changes. Color pigment was often applied. Early cases were made of wood and leather. Union cases, made of thermal plastic, date from the 1850s.
When restoration of a daguerreotype is considered, a trained conservator should always be consulted. There are several ways to stabilize a daguerreotype 1) Lightly dust the glass or exposed surface of a daguerreotype with a soft brush. 2) Create a micro-enviornment by wrapping the daguerreotype in acid-free paper and tie with flat cotton tape.