A very unusual and humorous tintype I wish I had in my collection. This teen is holding a doll in his arm with a cigar in the mouth, and is smiling with mirth while doing so. The cheeks were tinted by the studio artist. This was usually done in watercolors or oils.
A little fun fact: tintypes are mirror images of their subjects, so you’re looking at the reverse image of him as he was holding the doll with his left arm.
Artistic portrait. 1/6th plate Tintype. Private Collection.
Around the 1880s some tintype photographers became more artistic with poses, and the backgrounds could be busy with many artifacts like tree branches made to look like trees or fences, etc…and in this case, reed.
2″ x 2.5″. Private Collection
I got this one for the copper frame it was in I intended to use for another. The scan of the seller made the subject blurry and I really didn’t know what I was going to get. It was a nice surprise to see the subject is worth keeping the frame for. I delicately took it out for the scan and promptly put it back in.
The inscription on top is the patent for the process: MELAINOTYPE PLATE FOR NEFFS. DAT 19 FEB (18)56.
The melainotype was the precursor of the tintype. It had a thicker plate.
Beautiful couple. Private Collection.
My first tintype. This couple blows my mind they are so beautiful together. And her hat! Who were they? Where was this taken? He seems self-assured, she looks a bit weary. Long day at the fair?
Photographer: unknown
Bowlers And High Collars 