[Detail] United States Capitol [ca 1846] 
About this image
Collection Overview
America's First Look into the Camera: Daguerreotypes, 1839-1864, includes images captured with one of the earliest photographic techniques. The images show portraits of politicians and activists (including Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas), laborers, early views of the U.S. Capitol, and African Americans who became leaders in Liberia.
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You may go directly to the collection, America's First Look into the Camera: Daguerreotype Portraits and Views, 1839-1862, in American Memory.
Special Features
These online exhibits provide context and additional information about this collection.
Historical Eras
These historical era(s) are best represented in the collection although they may not be all-encompassing.
- The Civil War and Reconstruction, 1850-1877
Related Collections and Exhibits
These collections and exhibits contain thematically-related primary and secondary sources. Also browse the Collection Finder for more related material on the American Memory Web site.
- Civil War Photographs, 1861-1865
- Evolution of the Conservation Movement, 1850-1920
- The Gettysburg Address
- "Votes for Women" Suffrage Pictures, 1850-1920
Other Resources
Recommended additional sources of information.
There are currently no other resources for this collection
Search Tips
Specific guidance for searching this collection.
Search on American Colonization Society for portraits of African Americans who colonized Liberia.
Search on congressman, senator for portraits of elected officials.
Search on occupational portrait for images of laborers with the tools of their trades.
Search on individuals by name.
For help with search words and names, go to America's First Look at the Camera: Daguerreotypes, 1839-1864 Subject Index and the Synonym List.
For help with search strategies, see Finding Items in American Memory.
Last Updated: 06/12/2009