The condition of the portrait is acceptable with worn corners & edges, small stains and yellowing from age. The back of the cardboard has water marks on the top right which did not go through to the front and yellowing or tanning (see photo). A small spot on the top where the cardboard was scratched out and this spot shows through to the front top but did not go through to the front (see photo). The condition is good considering the age of the portrait. John Howe Kent was born in 1827.
He was an American Photographer who made significant contributions to the field of photography in the late 1800's. His work included matte collodion silver prints, a commonly used technique during that era.
In 1889 he was named vice-president of Eastman Co.