Carte-de-visite of Charles Sumner in full length seated profile. Sumner is pictured with his left profile facing the camera. His hands are resting in his lap and his left leg is crossed over his right leg at the knee. He is wearing a light colored vest and trousers with a white shirt, dark tie, and dark jacket. Spats peak out below his pant legs, partially covering his dark colored low-heeled shoes. His hair is moderately long and he has long sideburns. Sumner is seated in a carved armchair with an upholstered seat with a round wooden side table behind him. A stack of books, some loose papers, and possibly an inkstand are placed on the table. The floor of the room is covered in a geometric patterned carpet. There is a double-lined border printed in gold ink surrounding the outside edges of the card mount.