Figure 1.-- This CDV portrait was taken in 1864 by Friederich Gsund. We think this is a German portrait, but we are not sure. The seller is in Sebia. There is a name written on the back, but it is difficult to read--something like Ehsek. A German reader tells us, "This early CDV is a difficul vone. I couldn't find info about the photographer or Ehsek. It looks German, but the boys and the name do not seem German." Note the background, it has an elaborate seen which you do not often see in American 1860s CDVs. Thhe two boys are dressed idebtically. Note the large ruffeled collar. That was something you also did not see in America.

Many of the CDVs we have archived are American. Very large numbers of these CDVs have a very common look. They show boys and girls standing up with very plain backgrounds, often the look of a room with little or no furniture. American CDVs are mostly from the 1860s or to a lesser extent the 70s. By the 1880s, cabinent cards had become more common. The 1860s American CDVs have a very destinctive look. It is interesting that so many CDVs have this look because in the 1850s (with Dags, Ambros, and Tintypes), the subject was commonly posed sitting down, odten with a deaped table. We note European CDVs were also often posed with atanding subject, but the empty room approach used in America is less common. We see interesting backgrounds and more furniture. The standing posture probably reflects the faster speeds of the emulsions. This may in part explain the greater use of backgrounds as well.

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Created: 10:22 PM 3/13/2009
Last updated: 1:15 AM 3/14/2009