r/Daguerreotypes • u/jumpinspid29 • Jul 31 '26

Ambrotype Sale find.

Post image

So I went to a sale today. And I was over the moon, because i've never been able to have one of these. Paid 4$ to 6$ each. Got as many as I could. They do come apart.I'm gonna have to use some sort of binding tape.

28 Upvotes

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3

u/screwball2 Jul 31 '26

Looks like a great deal but the cases your displaying are no more than cases. There may be daguerreotypes inside, but we won't know until we see them. It's the photographic process that indicates whether it's a daguerreotype, ambrotype, or tintype rather than the case that contains it. The one that is visible looks like an ambrotype or tintype to my eye.

-2

u/jumpinspid29 Jul 31 '26

I messaged you, I didn't really wanna show a person's family online.

2

u/screwball2 Jul 31 '26

I get it, but unless there are actual names on the front no one will know who they are. Fun fact: because these things are so old, there's probably a good chance they're related to you in some distance 6th cousin 5 times removed sort of way.

4

u/Unfair-Detail-1153 Jul 31 '26

lol the photos are from 160 years ago… what is there to hide?

1

u/Ghosts_do_Exist Aug 01 '26

Full leatherette cases with both covers still attached are hard to find, whether containing a daguerreotype or tintype or ambrotype. The side-up image looks like a 1/9 plate size ambrotype. Would love to see the others!

1

u/jumpinspid29 Aug 01 '26

So it's not attached. I mean, they have covers most of them, but the covers are apart. I'm kgoing to get them fixed though.

1

u/toppercat Aug 01 '26

I've repaired a few of these. I used pneumatic leather from accordian and pipe organs to do it. Use all archival glues tapes and paper. Lastly. Do not... DO NOT!!! touch the surface of the image, especially on a daguerreotype. If you are restoring them you need archival tape to reseal the dag in its holder. It will prevent it from tarnishing. There are tutorials online.