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George Holland | all galleries >> Galleries >> Scans from Old Family Slides and prints > img050b_72pi.jpg
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28-Mar-2022

img050b_72pi.jpg

Trying to find out who this is.

Tintypes
This inexpensive photo process was similar to the Ambrotype, but instead of using a glass plate, the tintype image was processed on a thin sheet of blackened iron – not tin. The name might come from the fact that tin shears were used to cut the iron plate.

Time period: Introduced in 1856 and popular until about 1867. But tintype photo studios were still around into the early 1900s as a novelty.
Identifying characteristics: Tintypes will attract a small magnet, but this method of identification isn't foolproof as some ambrotypes have a metal backing behind the glass plate. The tintype is usually cut out quite roughly and is thinner than a ambrotype. Early tintypes were put under glass, but later were placed in cardboard sleeves. Most common size is 2½ x 3½ inches.


other sizes: small medium large original auto
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