Figure 1.--This Ambrotype shows an unidentified boy wearing a collar-buttoning suit jacket. His stock is done with what looks like a patterned ribbon. As it is an Ambro, it would have been dated about 1855-63. It is difficult to see, but he seems to have a good sized white collar. Notice tge oval frame highly decorated with stars. Oval franmes were commion, byt the star decorations rare.

Inside the protective cases was commonly a metal frame to hold the metal plate (Daguereotype) or glass plate (Ambrotype) with the image securely in place. The same frames were used for both Dags and Ambros. Some of these frames were very plain. The plain frames were either basic square/rectangular or oval shapes, but there were many more ornate frames. Often the frame opening was cut in a variety of different designs. We note, for example, curved shield-like designs. There were many other desisns. We have begun to collect examples of the various types. These metal frames were often done to look like they were gilded. I think they may have been made in bronze. Some were beautifully done with patriotic symbols like stars. These cased photographa and franes were so associated with photography in America during the early years (1840s-50s) that tintypes were treated similarly when they first appeared. Some early tintypes were simarly cased although a less expensive frame type for the tintypes.

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Created: 7:11 PM 5/9/2012
Last updated: 7:11 PM 5/9/2012