Left to right in this lineup is first, detail of the sixth-plate daguerreotype portrait (reversal of the original daguerreotype corrected). (Draper Collection, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.), designated [A.]
Second is Samuel Morse, detail from an illustration of a daguerreotype, c. 1845-55 (Harold Francis Pfister, Facing the Light [Washington: National Portrait Gallery, 1978], 25.), designated [B.]
Third is Samuel Morse, detail from a cabinet card, c. 1860s. (Writer's collection.), designated [C.]
Fourth is Morse, detail of a photographic copy from the original glass negative. (Brady-Handy Collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress.), designated [D.]

These four images will be used at the beginning of this short comparison.

The blue highlight in the image below shows three areas of distinctive facial lines in Morse's countenance. The comparison that follows will focus on these three areas
(other areas could have been selected).

The four images that follow are enlargements and comparisons of the three areas highlighted in the previous images.

The first image shows an area around Morse's nose.
The second image shows an area around Morse's left eye.
The last two images show different comparisons of an area around Morse's right eye.

In each comparison there are two sets of enlarged photos.
The top two photos are always taken from a known image of Morse
(identified by its letter).
The bottom two photos are from the daguerreotype
in the Draper Collection at the Smithsonian Institution.

In each comparison the right two photographs
(one of a known image of Morse and one of the Smithsonian Institution daguerreotype)
have been highlighted blue and yellow to show specific areas of similarity.
Each photo on the left is identical to its match on the right
but is left unhighlighted for comparison purposes.

NOSE
Once again the triangular area can be distinctly seen in both faces.

LEFT EYE

RIGHT EYE

ANOTHER VIEW OF THE RIGHT EYE

There have been no alteration or enhancement to these photos other then the highlighting noted. Scans are from copies of the images.
A much better comparison could be made from the originals.

Please keep in mind that the details of (A.) are extreme enlargements
of tiny portions--
of a less than 1" face--
in a poorly exposed (the image is EXTREMELY SUN-STRUCK!),
sixth-plate daguerreotype--
taken outdoors--
in glaring sunshine--
in about the first year of photography--
with an experimental lens system!

It is quite amazing that this image exists
and contains such detail for viewing and comparison.

The photographs below allow a general comparison between image (A.) taken c. 1840 and five other known views of Morse at different ages. Scroll down the series of comparisons. All images have been corrected to their proper orientation.


On left is detail of the sixth-plate daguerreotype portrait (reversal of the original daguerreotype is corrected). (Draper Collection, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.)
On right at top is Samuel Morse detail of an illustration from a daguerreotype, c. 1845-55 (William Maver, Jr., "The Telegraph in the Nineteenth Century", The Electrical Review, [1901], 41.)
Second down on the right is Morse, detail from a daguerreotype c. 1845-55 (Helmut and Alison Gernsheim, L. J. M. Daguerre--The History of the Diorama and the Daguerreotype [New York: Dover Publications, 1968], facing 132.)
Third down on the right is Morse, detail from a daguerreotype c. 1845-55 (Harold Francis Pfister, Facing the Light [Washington: National Portrait Gallery, 1978], 25.)
Fourth down on the right is Morse, detail from a cabinet card, c. 1860s. (Writer's collection.)
At bottom right is Morse, detail of a photographic copy from the original glass negative. (Brady-Handy Collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress.)

In order to be complete here is a brief comparison of Morse with both daguerreotypes in question:


At left, detail of plate box image "J" (reversal of the original daguerreotype corrected) (Writer's collection.)
In middle is detail of the sixth-plate daguerreotype portrait (reversal of the original daguerreotype corrected). (Draper Collection, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.)
At right is Morse, detail of a photographic copy from the original glass negative. (Brady-Handy Collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress.)

A view of the NOSE area in all three images.


On top is Morse, detail of a photographic copy from the original glass negative. (Brady-Handy Collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress.)
In middle is detail of plate box image "J" (reversal of the original daguerreotype corrected) (Writer's collection.)
At bottom is detail of the sixth-plate daguerreotype portrait (reversal of the original daguerreotype corrected). (Draper Collection, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.)

A view of the LEFT EYE area in all three images.


On top is Morse, detail of a photographic copy from the original glass negative. (Brady-Handy Collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress.)
In middle is detail of plate box image "J" (reversal of the original daguerreotype corrected) (Writer's collection.)
At bottom is detail of the sixth-plate daguerreotype portrait (reversal of the original daguerreotype corrected). (Draper Collection, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.)