Historical information

Beginning in the mid 1800s, photographers used glass plates to capture image - collodion wet plate and gelatin dry plate. Collodion wet plate negatives were in use from c1851 until 1880s. Gelatin dry plate negatives late 1880s - 1920s.
Called an ambrotype is comprised of an under exposed glass negative placed against a dark background . The dark backing material creates a positive image.

Significance

Man in photo is unknown in a uniform but not very serious so it could be a 'fun thing to do'. The significance is based on the photo being on glass.

Physical description

A man in uniform sitting casually. The photo is on glass. Dark wood frame holding more layers making it thick with gold tin frame in the inside. The outer layer is wood with embossed (illegible?) cover facing the outside. The inside layer is the photo on glass. Next layer is another frame of gold with an oval frame and covered by glass to protect the photo. The photo sits inside the wooden frame.