Glass negative of a daguerreotype of Queen Victoria and the Princess Royal

6 x 5" glass plate negative of a daguerreotype of Queen Victoria (1819-1901), seated on the left alongside her daughter, Empress Friedrich (1840-1901), when Victoria, Princess Royal. The image was previously believed to be a calotype taken by Henry Collen when known only through an 1870s carbon print. It was not until this glass negative was discovered, and the complete object was visible and seen to be a daguerreotype that the attribution to Collen was reconsidered. The edge of the daguerreotype is visible in the copy negative, and the name 'Christofle' (a French silversmith firm) is visible. The daguerreotype is traditionally believed to be the earliest photograph of Queen Victoria.

The glass plate negative has been photographed showing the coated side and therefore the image appears laterally reversed.