Friday, February 18, 2011

Photo Number 454

This was tucked into the back of the Nettie Parks album.

Extra gem Tintype child This is a “Gem” tintype.  It is called a gem because of it’s size.  The tintype is 1 inch by 1 1/4 inch.  The card measures 1 3/4 inch by 2 3/4 inches.   Gems are sometimes said to be the size of a postage stamp.

Sometimes when a tintype was made a multiplying camera was used, more lenses were added to the camera box and many images could be created at once.  They were cut apart and put into folders, locket or frames.  You would have a number of images to share with friends and family..or to mail to family far away.

I have looked and looked at this image..tintypes were popular from 1860 to 1900.  I think it is a boy, either with long hair or sitting in a strange chair. What do you think?

Extra gem Tintype child

Thanks for stopping by, do come again:)

6 comments:

  1. Gosh that album has some beautiful photos and treasure after treasure. This is lovely, I think that what looks like long hair could be the neck support to help him stay still. I think it is a boy, but some of these old photos it's so hard to tell.

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  2. I also think that is the back of a chair or head support. That is such a sweet smile - a rare treat in these old photos.

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  3. I agree, I think it's a boy and the long hair is a chair support. I enjoyed the additional 'gem' tin-type information. Have a great weekend. x

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  4. need I say it? It's a boy, and an adorable one too! But I'm confused by the high lacy collar around his neck?

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  5. Definitely seems to be a boy. I thought the patterned shirt seemed 'girlish' & the high white collar, which I originally thought was lace, but on zooming in in might just be a high stiff white collar. It seems clothing for boys before before and in the early 1900s often seemed 'girlish' or feminine. ~Abra

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  6. Looks like the back of the chair to me too...

    ...and a fancy "cowboy" shirt...

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Hi, Thanks for the comments, your input on these old photos is appreciated! English only please! All comments will be moderated! Connie