| An Outline Describing the Types of Photographic Images Found Within this Website, Including Styles, Sizes, Dating, etc. |
While the scope of this site deals primarily with photographic images taken during the second half of the 19th Century it is felt that a basic course in the
general methods and terminology used in the production of the before said images. It is not intended that a complete and detailed account of photographic
history be presented here but simply enough information to provide the viewer a working knowledge with many of the terms used within this site.
general methods and terminology used in the production of the before said images. It is not intended that a complete and detailed account of photographic
history be presented here but simply enough information to provide the viewer a working knowledge with many of the terms used within this site.
Tintype of Ferrotype: Popular between about 1860 and 1890 these images are actually negative images developed on thin sheet iron plates, a thin
black Japan varnish undercoating allows the image to be viewed as positive. Since the image is in reality a negative the image always appears reversed.
Tintypes were far more popular in the United States than in Britain (where they were known as Ferrotypes) making British military subjects of this type
somewhat rare. They come in a variety of sizes with the largest being a "full plate" measuring 6 1/2 inches by 8 1/2 inches (approximately 16.5 x 21.5 cm)
on down incrementally to the 1/16 plate measuring 1 3/8 inches by 1 5/8 inches (approximately 3.5 x 4.2 cm) with so-called Gemtypes being even smaller.
black Japan varnish undercoating allows the image to be viewed as positive. Since the image is in reality a negative the image always appears reversed.
Tintypes were far more popular in the United States than in Britain (where they were known as Ferrotypes) making British military subjects of this type
somewhat rare. They come in a variety of sizes with the largest being a "full plate" measuring 6 1/2 inches by 8 1/2 inches (approximately 16.5 x 21.5 cm)
on down incrementally to the 1/16 plate measuring 1 3/8 inches by 1 5/8 inches (approximately 3.5 x 4.2 cm) with so-called Gemtypes being even smaller.
Carte de Visite: French for 'visiting card" this popular type of image was invented by Andre-Adolphe-Eugene Disdere in 1855 and remained in use
until the very early 1900's was still seen in central and eastern Europe up and until the World War one-era. The Cartes generally measures about 2 1/2
inches by 3 1/2 inches (approximately 6.5 x 10.5 cm). The earliest Cartes tend to have very thin and plain mounts with the only ornamentation being the
photographer's cartouche on the reverse. Late Cartes can have colored mounts, gold edging and ornate gold stamping on the front of the mount.
until the very early 1900's was still seen in central and eastern Europe up and until the World War one-era. The Cartes generally measures about 2 1/2
inches by 3 1/2 inches (approximately 6.5 x 10.5 cm). The earliest Cartes tend to have very thin and plain mounts with the only ornamentation being the
photographer's cartouche on the reverse. Late Cartes can have colored mounts, gold edging and ornate gold stamping on the front of the mount.
Cabinet Photographs: These larger brother to the Carte de Visite were produced from the mid 1860's until about 1920 but most commonly from the
1870's until about 1900. They seem to have persisted in Eastern Europe much longer than elsewhere. Like the Carte de Visite the thinner and plainer the
Cabinet Photograph's mount the earlier it's year of production with the more ornate mounts being of late the 1880's or 1890's. Cabinet Photographs
generally measure 4 1/2 inches by 6 1/2 inches (approximately 11 x 16.5 cm).
1870's until about 1900. They seem to have persisted in Eastern Europe much longer than elsewhere. Like the Carte de Visite the thinner and plainer the
Cabinet Photograph's mount the earlier it's year of production with the more ornate mounts being of late the 1880's or 1890's. Cabinet Photographs
generally measure 4 1/2 inches by 6 1/2 inches (approximately 11 x 16.5 cm).
Mounted Photographs: A generic catchall term that will be used to describe the plethora of Cabinet or Carte style photographs that due to their size
do not quite fit into either category. These can include mini Cartes sometimes called the Trilby that measure 2 inches by 2 1/2 inches (approximately 5 x
6.5 cm) up to the huge Imperial Cabinet Cards that measure up to 10 inches (25.5 cm). Also included is any photograph various sizes and thicknesses of
paper or card stock backing material.
do not quite fit into either category. These can include mini Cartes sometimes called the Trilby that measure 2 inches by 2 1/2 inches (approximately 5 x
6.5 cm) up to the huge Imperial Cabinet Cards that measure up to 10 inches (25.5 cm). Also included is any photograph various sizes and thicknesses of
paper or card stock backing material.
Stereographs: Generally these cards measure 7 inches by 3 1/2 inches (approx. 18cm x 9cm) and consist of a stiff card mount with two side by side
photographic images taken with a unique twin lensed camera. The resulting images when viewed through a special viewer produces and three dimensional
effect. Popular from the middle of the 19th Century until the 1920's.
photographic images taken with a unique twin lensed camera. The resulting images when viewed through a special viewer produces and three dimensional
effect. Popular from the middle of the 19th Century until the 1920's.
Real Photo Post Cards: Dating from generally after 1900, these are exactly as their name describes - post cards with a real photograph from a
negative on the obverse with the usual post card reverse. They also tend to be the same size as modern post cards 2 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches (9cm x
14cm).
negative on the obverse with the usual post card reverse. They also tend to be the same size as modern post cards 2 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches (9cm x
14cm).
Unmounted Photographs: A general term for any paper based photographic image of any size or time period not mounted on a card backing or
other substrate.
other substrate.
Glass Plate Images: The earliest popular photographic images of the 19th Century, Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes are not represented in this
collection at this time and therefore will not be described. There are several glass plate negatives in the Soldiers of the Queen collection and positive
reproduction of those negatives will be included in the gallery directly related to their content.
collection at this time and therefore will not be described. There are several glass plate negatives in the Soldiers of the Queen collection and positive
reproduction of those negatives will be included in the gallery directly related to their content.
A certain measure of protection must be given to antique photographic images if they are to be preserved for future generations. The biggest enemy of
vintage photographs is light. Images should never be stored or displayed in direct light be it sun light or that from bright artificial sources. Under no
circumstances should photographs be allowed to be exposed to fluorescent light. Fluorescent bulbs give off vast amounts of ultraviolet light which quickly
causes permanent damage to any photographic images. The best form of protection is to store photographs in protective archival plastic sleeves which in
turn should be stored in acid free binders or boxes. I add an additional layer of protection by storing said binders in acid free slip cases which keep out the
light as well as dust.
When handling antique images always hold the image or card by its edges and never touch the image emulsion itself with your finger since finger prints can
be next to impossible to remove with out further damaging the image itself. If possible use white cotton archivists gloves when you decide to handle to
images.
Personally I never display original images on the wall. If there is an image which I would like to display I will scan it into my computer then preform any
editing in Adobe Photoshop. I will then print out a copy using a high resolution ink jet printer. The most current ink jet printers using light fast inks are
capable of producing images of outstanding sharpness and clarity which will not begin to fade for an excess of 75 years. An added benefit of this process is
the ability of correcting any defects without actually altering the historic original should this be desired.
The books listed below offer excellent in depth information on the identification, preservation and care of antique photographic images of all types.
vintage photographs is light. Images should never be stored or displayed in direct light be it sun light or that from bright artificial sources. Under no
circumstances should photographs be allowed to be exposed to fluorescent light. Fluorescent bulbs give off vast amounts of ultraviolet light which quickly
causes permanent damage to any photographic images. The best form of protection is to store photographs in protective archival plastic sleeves which in
turn should be stored in acid free binders or boxes. I add an additional layer of protection by storing said binders in acid free slip cases which keep out the
light as well as dust.
When handling antique images always hold the image or card by its edges and never touch the image emulsion itself with your finger since finger prints can
be next to impossible to remove with out further damaging the image itself. If possible use white cotton archivists gloves when you decide to handle to
images.
Personally I never display original images on the wall. If there is an image which I would like to display I will scan it into my computer then preform any
editing in Adobe Photoshop. I will then print out a copy using a high resolution ink jet printer. The most current ink jet printers using light fast inks are
capable of producing images of outstanding sharpness and clarity which will not begin to fade for an excess of 75 years. An added benefit of this process is
the ability of correcting any defects without actually altering the historic original should this be desired.
The books listed below offer excellent in depth information on the identification, preservation and care of antique photographic images of all types.
| Photo Salvage with Adobe Photoshop by Jack & Sue Drafahl |
| Conservation of Photographs Kodak Publication No. F-40 by George Eaton |
| Collectors Guide to Early Photographs by O. Henry Mace |
| Dating Old Photographs 1849 -1920 by Halvor Moorshead |
| An Once of Preservation by Craig A. Tuttle |
I have decided after much thought not to include information regarding the specific process used in the production of each individual photograph. While
knowing which technical method was used to produce a given image can be helpful in dating it, the identification of that process - Albumen, Gelatin-Silver,
Salt, Carbon, Woodburry etc. - almost aways requires the close examination of the actual photograph and often under high magnification. In addition
many types of processes produced prints that are almost impossible to tell apart such as Carbon prints and Woodbury prints. This problem is exacerbated
by the inability to convey these differences on a computer monitor. I could describe them but the viewer would not be able to tell the difference. For these
reasons I have decided not to delve into this aspect photographic history. Several of the above listed books illustrate and describe these various
photographic processes in far greater detail and all are highly recommended.
knowing which technical method was used to produce a given image can be helpful in dating it, the identification of that process - Albumen, Gelatin-Silver,
Salt, Carbon, Woodburry etc. - almost aways requires the close examination of the actual photograph and often under high magnification. In addition
many types of processes produced prints that are almost impossible to tell apart such as Carbon prints and Woodbury prints. This problem is exacerbated
by the inability to convey these differences on a computer monitor. I could describe them but the viewer would not be able to tell the difference. For these
reasons I have decided not to delve into this aspect photographic history. Several of the above listed books illustrate and describe these various
photographic processes in far greater detail and all are highly recommended.
