Posted 11 years ago
rniederman
(343 items)
Years ago, a fellow collector and close friend gave me the tintype shown here. At first glance, it appears to be a commonly found studio shot of an anonymous and conservatively posed subject in front of cloth backdrop. While the majority of tintypes are singular images, nearly all of these were actually cut from a larger sheet with multiple pictures.
The second picture reveals that the portrait is actually one of four images shot on a 5” x 7” tintype plate; in reality, two of the four pictures were found and positioned to show how they would appear relative to each other on the plate.
Tintypes are unique images that cannot be reproduced without copying; so to make cost effective ‘multiples’ a multiple lens camera was often used - in this case - a 4-lens style shown in the third image.
A mundane image until you have the second copy (or more)-- then both become PRIZED images because of what they show!
GREAT information and exhibit rob!
scott
Thanks, officialfuel!
Thanks, blunderbuss2!
Thanks, mtg75!
Thanks, Scott for the 'love' and comment. I'm always looking for uncut tintypes but they are difficult to find.
How many uncut sheets do you have?
scott
I am old enough to have had my photo taken on tintype by a street photographer with a single-lens camera when I was a child; probably about 1937? Multiple lens cameras never seem to have caught on too well in Britain.
Scott ... I used to have a couple uncut sheets but sold them years ago because they were not in good condition. A couple nicer examples have slipped through my fingers.
Thanks, miKKo!
Your posts have made me want to acquire one now!
I will be on the lookout for a sheet or cut images from a sheet.
scott
Thanks walksoftly, Longings, and vetraio50!
Thanks, Phil!
Thanks, musikchoo!
Thanks, Eric (and for the comment)!
Rob-- how were the images cut apart?
Scott
Scott--Shears (very robust scissors) were used to cut tintypes. For example, Scovill advertised "10-inch steel blades" for $1.25 per pair in 1888. Another Scovill model called "Bankers' steel blades" were listed for $1.50 to $3.00 per pair. - Rob
Thanks rob-- that's what I assumed, but I am always amazed at the straight cuts!
Scott
Thanks, trunkman!
Thanks, bratjdd!
Thanks, f64imager!
Thanks!
SpiritBear
ho2cultcha
Nicefice
Sean (overdue thx)
Overdue thanks to Thomas and MyFavoriteTreasures!