Tag Archives: 1870s-1880s

October 12, 2015

A working class young couple from the 1870s-1880s

By C.E. Ryan
1/6th plate tintype. Private Collection.

Working class couple. 1/6th plate tintype. Private Collection.

He has long, slender and tanned hands, and these look like working ones too, almost as if they should belong to someone older than him. This could be my imagination but the top of his head looks lighter, as if he worked outdoors a lot but wore a large brim hat. The young woman by his side I can only assume is his wife is resting her hand on his arm, and her white (cotton?) top is interesting; simple but nice, wrapping down over her skirt. It was accessorised with a pearl necklace, leaf brooch and belt. All this makes me think this was taken in the summertime.

He’s wearing a type of necktie/scarf popular of the 1870s-80s.

3 Comments   |  tags: , , | posted in Couples, Tintypes

October 8, 2015

1870s-80s Hannover Gentleman

By C.E. Ryan

Hannover CDV. Private Collection.

Hannover CDV. Private Collection.

A nice sepia three-quarter portrait of a handsome blonde man with the slicked back hair and pouty lips. His bowtie looks particularly elegant. It looks made of silk, and so do his coat and waistcoat.

The round edge card’s back is mint green with simple lettering, dating it to around the 1880s most likely. The wide lapels look 1870-ish to me.

F. Wunder Sohn. Hannover.

F. Wunder Sohn. Hannover.

Photographer: F. Wunder Sohn. Hannover, Schillerstrasse 24. Germany.

2 Comments   |  tags: , , , | posted in CDVs, Gentlemen

September 2, 2015

Student posing with book

By C.E. Ryan
Young man with book. Tintype. Private Collection.

Young man with book. Tintype. Private Collection.

This bright eyed assured young man is posing with a book in hands. He made sure the title shows, unfortunately it is unreadable! The book looks to be too thin to be a bible. I think he was a student or perhaps even, an author? I believe this tintype is from around the 1870s-80s. I got this one for a little above a measly dollar, a great find!

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August 18, 2015

The fire’s still burning bright in this old man

By C.E. Ryan

Old smiling man. CDV. Private Collection.

1870’s old smiling man from Algona, Iowa. Burlingame. CDV. Private Collection.

The oldest sitter in my collection!  He must have been in his 70’s or 80’s at the time of this picture, always a feat at a time when the average lifespan was much shorter. I find it fascinating to think this man was born in or around 1800. I cannot begin to imagine what his life was like, the changes he witnessed, what he had seen and experienced, good or bad, and after all that for him to smile like this. So unusual too for a carte de visite of the period.

He looks like someone who led a very fulfilling life. There is fire and a zest for life in his piercing eyes old age did not manage to dim. And to complement the effect he still had a headful of thick, snowy white hair.

There is a different kind of true beauty that transcends age and is deeper than the fleeting skin-deep one of youth; this content looking, dignified old man is proof. (I bet though, that he was quite the gentleman in his younger days too!)

I love his generous neck scarf too, the way he tied it in a nice bow.

CDV back

CDV back

Photographer: D.W. Burlingame’s. Fine Art Gallery, Algona. Iowa.

2 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , | posted in CDVs, Gentlemen

June 3, 2015

The city father and his two dapper sons

By C.E. Ryan
1880s tintype. Private Collection.

1880s tintype. Private Collection.

This one made me laugh some. The father in top hat looks quite stiff looking straight to the side, while his two sons didn’t miss the camera, each posing with confidence.

The one in the middle who appears to be the oldest of the two looks casual of demeanor, relaxed even with a smirk on his face. The youngest -I wouldn’t put past 16- is taking this occasion seriously, strutting his stuff in fine evening wear with the nice white tie. What a dandy!

The dad’s gloves are so tight fitting they look painted on.

5 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , | posted in Groups, Tintypes