Figure 1.-- This cased ambrotype portrait shows a brother and sister anout 3-6 yeats old. It is not dated, but ambrotypes were made in a relatively short period. We would guess tht this portrait was taken during the mid- or late-1850s just before the Civil War. We have no idea where. Unlike most cased portrauts (Dags and Ambros), this one had a fabric note. It is very difficult to read, but we think we can make out the boy's name--Tom Milton. The girl wears a polkadot dress with a low neckline and pantalettes. The boy wears a blouse made out of the same polkadot material as used for his sister's dress with a ruffled collar. Click on the image to see the Ambro components.

This cased ambrotype portrait shows a brother and sister anout 3-6 years old. It is not dated, but ambrotypes were made in a relatively short period. We would guess tht this portrait was taken during the mid- or late-1850s just before the Civil War. We have no idea where. Unlike most cased portrauts (Dags and Ambros), this one had a note. It is very difficult to read, but we think we can make out the boy's name--Tom Milton. we do not know his sister's name. She wears a polkadot dress with a low neckline and fancy pantalettes. The boy wears a blouse made out of the same polkadot material as used for his sister's dress with a ruffled collar. This suggests home made clothes. The white pants are rather like drawers. We see a lot of boys dressed like this in the 1940s and 50s. Suits did not become standard for boys until after the Civil War. We think this was primarily a matter of income. America was industrializing, especially the North. It would be the principal reason that the Federals won the War. And by the 1860s industry was having a real inpact on income and living standards.

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Created: 1:15 PM 3/19/2017
Last edited: 1:15 PM 3/19/2017