THE “AMERICAN GEM” (Tintype) The “Tintype” or “Ferrotype”,
when first introduced to the UK from America in the 1850s was
not popular but when re-introduced in the mid 1860s this cheap,
instant process really took off. In 1866 between 300 and 400
million of the tiny “Gem” tintypes were sold in the UK.
The photographs were taken by cameras with multiple lenses so
that 6, 9, 12, 24 ..... images could be produced with one
exposure on one plate. As it was a single stage process, the
resulting image was reversed, a mirror image of the subject who
probably didn’t notice as it was how they saw themselves anyway,
or maybe for less than a penny a shot, they just didn’t care
Around at the same time as the tintype, the
albumen print was the first commercially viable method of
producing a paper print from a negative, much better than the
tintype but fourteen times more expensive at around a shilling
each. Extremely popular during from the 1860s until the turn of
the century they were gradually replaced by the larger Cabinet
Card from the 80s.
DATING YOUR CARTES DE VISITE
A & G Taylor used the simple crown (as above) on the back of
their cards from 1873-1880
They used cards with square corners until 1878/9 (as above)
The American and Paris studios were opened in 1879
Therefore this photograph must have been taken in 1879
There are usually a host of clues on each card to help you date
it..........
-
Name of photographer, try and find him on
the internet.
-
Address of photographer, when was he
operating from here
-
Square or round cornered card, rounded
corners from the late 70s generally.
-
Design of back of card
-
Fashion
-
Studio props
-
Pose
-
Manufacturer of the card, usually in tiny
print on the back
A simple internet search, “carte de visite” will
bring up lots of sites which will help you date your cards, and
even one which will do it for you for £2-50, easy but no fun.
If you have any cards by Seaham
photographers, please scan both sides and I will add them to
this section.
Regards
Dave
