Tin-type Frames


Figure 1.--This 1/6 th plate tintype portrait sown an unidentified Afro-American boy. It is difficult to date. The metal frame and thermoplastic union case would date it to the late-50s or early 60s. The elaborate background is, however, more common to the 1870s. This may be aare example of a cased portrait done in the 1870s. Perhaps the family iseted a new tintype into an old Dag or Ambro case.

We see different frames for tintypes. The earliest tintypes were prepared with heavy metal frames for protective cases. These frames were made for protective cases. The cost of the frames and cases was commonly more than the tintype. And as the tintype was not as fragile as the Dag and Ambro, studios began to develop less expensive frames. We begin to see light-weight mtal frames, more like tinfoil than a heavy frame. Unlike Dags and Ambros, tintypes did not disappear in the 1860s. We soon see tintypes being presented without metal frames as the cases were not really needed. Rather we begin to see inexpensive paper frames. In many cases these frames have been lost so many surviving tintypes have no frames. As the tintype customer demanded lower prices, the cases were dropped in favor paper folders the same size as the popular card photographs (carte de visite) because the case cost more than the finished photograph. Some were decorated with patriotic themes like Potter's Patent paper envelopes. Instead of a glass cover, the tintype image was given a quick coat of Japan Black lacquer (varnish) to protect the image and any applied tints.





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Created: 10:10 PM 4/30/2009
Last updated: 10:10 PM 4/30/2009