Self portrait of William Shew, a prominent Civil War-era. Daguerreotypist who was active in San Francisco during the Gold Rush. He was a case maker in Massachusetts and moved to San Francisco in 1851, setting up his “Moveable Daguerreotype Saloon” enabling him to travel. During Japan’s first diplomatic mission to the US in 1860, She made a portrait of Yukichi Fukuzawa. A philosopher and educator who was part of the embassy’s staff. The photo was among the most famous in Japanese history in its day and included Shew’s daughter, Theodora, in one of the earliest photos of a white woman to be seen in Japan. See photos for item condition and please ask any photos before purchasing. Please see Brown Vintage’s other sales for Civil War-era items, including photography, as well other Americana, militaria and vintage Star Wars toys and action figures. Thank you for looking! Albumen, daguerreotype, CDV, carte de visite, image.