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Invented by Frederick Scott Archer as a cheaper alternative to the daguerreotype, the ambrotype was popular from the 1850’s to 1890’s. The image is made as a negative on a piece of glass, then placed against a black background to make it look like a positive. Ambrotypes were also popular due to their appearance: unlike the shiny, easy-to-tarnish daguerreotypes, they made for a cleaner looking finish.

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Interviews & Articles

An Interview With 19th Century Photograph and Americana Collector Wes Cowan

I’ve always been interested in antiques. As a kid, I collected a variety of stuff – fossils, rocks, minerals, natural history stuf… [more]

Daile Kaplan of Swann Auction Galleries on Collecting 20th Century Photographs

Swann, which is New York City’s oldest specialty auction house, was founded in the late 1940s as an antiquarian book house. In the… [more]

An Interview With Antique Photograph and Camera Collectors Jack and Beverly Wilgus

We both come from families that had collections and we both had collections as children. Jack lost his when his grandmother threw … [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Collection of Collections

Collection of Collections

Jack and Beverly Wilgus' personal collection website, of which the most interesting areas are: strongmen and strong… [read review or visit site]

Square America

Square America

If you like vernacular photographs of everyday 20th century life, you'll love Square America, a collection of onlin… [read review or visit site]

Wisconsin Historical Images

Wisconsin Historical Images

The Wisconsin Historical Society has really outdone themselves with these excellent galleries focused on the 1880s-… [read review or visit site]

Cliff House Project

Cliff House Project

Gary Stark’s encyclopedic website is dedicated to photos and historical information on San Francisco’s legendar… [read review or visit site]

Time Tales

Time Tales

An amazing compilation of found photographs divided up by era (pre-1930, 1930-1950, 1950-1970, 1970-1990, and 1990-… [read review or visit site]



Top eBay Auctions

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Bird’s Eye View Ambrotype Collinsville Connecticut Covered Bridge Great DetailsProbable Virginia Civil War Confederate Ambrotype Armed Va. Soldier1/9th PlateAmbrotype : Portrait Of A Very Handsome Civil War Officer And His Wife Ca.1860s'Antique 1/2 Pl.ambrotype Large Pioneer Family Of Six In Full L.p.& Co.union CaseDaguerreotype/ Ambrotype Fogden Drapers Chichester 1850/60s Super Civil War - Gar -penn. Veteran Grouping - Ambrotype,# Ed Gar Medal & PhotoWonderful Civil War - Gar -penn. Veteran Grouping - Ambrotype, Gar Medal & PhotoCivil War Era Ambrotype Photos In Gutta Percha CaseHaunting Post Mortem Ambrotype Dead Child Posed On Paisley Blanket 1/6th No ResCivil War Period Ambrotype, Child In Uniform, By Wagner, Maryland Gutta Percha Daguerretype/ambrotype Case "american Country Life" W/photo 1850cAntique Union Soldier Ambrotype Rare Sixth PlateVintage Ambrotype Lovely Woman In Dress 1/6 Plate In Gutta Percha Union CaseClaudet Studio London - Daguerreotype - 1847 - 1851 - Not An Ambrotype Antique Union Case Gutta Percha Dag Ambrotype Case Floral Design Excellent1/6 Civil War Union Soldier Ambrotype Sergeant Crystal Clear In Full Case Ambrotype Fogden Brothers General Store Chichester 1870/80 .Authentic Abraham Lincoln Ambrotype C.1865 1/2 Plate2 Tintypes, 2 Ambrotypes, Associated Family Portrats, 1/16 - 1/4 PlateMid 19th C Tradesman Ambrotype Of Carpenter With Saw Unusual And Unique Image2 Antique 1/6 Ruby Ambrotype Same Age Progress Brother/sister+double Union Case100% Original 1850s-early 1860s Ambrotype Man Holding Fiddle/violin & Bow Rare!Antique 1/6 Ambrotype Tinted Twilight Moon Ship Water Scene Young Man+full CaseHalf Plate Ruby Ambrotype Of Two Couples One Man Looks Like Wolfman Nice FashionClear Ruby Ambrotype John Fox Town Officer, Representative Jaffrey New Hampshire Ambrotype In Case Young Man 1860/70Victorian Leather Cased Daguerrotype? Ambrotype? Gentleman Foljambe Family1840's Ambrotype (who Looks Like Someone You All Know)Beautiful Young Woman Tinted Ambrotpe 6th Plate Case GlassSharp Ambrotype- Civil War Era Lady In Leather CaseAntique Daguerreotype, Ambrotype & Tintype Photo Lot 17 PhotosMid 1800's Fine French Nude Ambrotype, Wood Framed (coin Op) Rare!1/4 Ambrotype Alexander Hamilton Stevens V.p. Of Confederacy 1860s#19thc Antique Civil War Soldier 9th Plate Ambrotype Camp Photo Patriotic CaseAntique 1/4 Th Pl.amethyst Glass Ambrotype Tinted Baby Boy In Full Embossed CaseDaguerrotype Or Ambrotype Of A Man .....in Original FrameHumphreys & Halliwell Cheltenham Photographic Studio Tinted Ambrotype Pre 1862 Ambrotype In Case Young Lady 1860/70 Ambrotype In Case Young Man 1860/70Lot Of 7 Ornate Antique Union Case Frames Daguerreotype Tintype Ambrotype $ 0.99One Ninth Ambrotype In Handmade Brass Frame - Portrait Of A WomanVictorian Leather Cased Daguerrotype? Ambrotype? Lady Tinted Foljambe FamilyAmbrotype - Young Boy - Ninth Plate19th C. Union Case - Small Basket Of FlowersAntique Ambrotype Photo Portrait Of A Young Man In A Beautiful Union Case!United Kingdom English Ambrotype Of A Country Home Great PresentationAntique Daguerreotype/ambrotype PhotoAntique Photograph - Woman With Bonnet - Ambrotype"french" Lady Nude, Wood Framed Ambrotype (rare Coin Op Collectable)Ambrotype 1/9 Civil War Era CouplePhoto Postcard 1920's Child, Poodle & Christmas Tree Thumbtack Hole Antique Ambrotype Photograph In Leather Case Of Gent With Top Hat. C 1870.Antique Ambrotype Photograph Of Infant In Leather Covered Union Case.c 1870Antique Ambrotype Photograph Of Young Child In Leather Covered Union Case. C1870North Carolina Confederate Soldier Ambrotype Alvin G. Britt? 50th N.c. Drummer ?Civil War Era 1/9th Ambrotype Gettysburg Portraits Hand Tinted Images TintypeAntique Monett Missouri Framed Photographs From 1800's Very Cool!
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