Finding treasures like these within your own family photo collection is a wonderful thing. Below are seven digital images of some ambrotypes and a tintype which were found in my family collection. After discovering these original works of art, I took them to a professional photographer so a negative of each item could be created. It took them several days, but when I picked up the prints they had developed, they gave me not only color but also black and white prints of the first ambrotypes I had found. About two weeks later, I found five more cased images. At first, I had mistakenly thought they were all daguerreotypes. But after studying them in and out of their cases, I determined that I had six ambrotypes and one tintype. All six ambrotypes were on glass plates which had black paper or varnish applied to the back. Four of these were stored inside leather and wood cases with copper frames and clear glass plates. The tintype was also kept in a leather and wood case so it appeared to be an ambrotype until it was removed from its case and discovered to be a tintype, also known as a ferrotype. Only one case had the subject's name written on the inside, which was the one of Tom Gorin below. One other had a piece of paper stuck between the ambrotype and casing. This paper I have scanned and included beside the ambrotype with which it was stored. Most of these portrait subjects have yet to be identified. Click on the thumbnails for a larger image.

Color: This interneg was taken of a ambrotype which was still in its leather and wood case. In this picture one can see the copper frame. Black & White: A black and white print was also made from the interneg at the photo shop, and this is a good example of how detail is more distinct in black and white. Who are they? The gentleman in the uniform is most likely Colonel John H. Grider of the Union Army, 52nd Kentucky infantry. His birth and death dates are unknown. He married Margaret Elizabeth Hines on 28 October 1851. She was born on 11 June 1833 and died on 14 November 1859. Her parents were Elizabeth M. Davis and James Davis Hines, who was born on 7 January 1805 in Warren County, Kentucky.

Color: This was also taken of a ambrotype which was still in its leather and wood case. Black & White: The photo shop also printed a black and white photo of this ambrotype, and in it one can see better detail of the man's clothing and facial features. Who is he? This gentleman (Tom Gorin) may have owned a circus or fairgrounds of some kind, but unsure of that information. After prying the copper-framed ambrotype up, I discovered writing on the paper packing of the case: Tom Gorin is so nice.

Color: Even a color print of this tintype could not rid the dust particles from obstructing the view the the young lady. Black & White: After fidgeting with a photo editor program, I created a black and white image, which does reveal slightly more detail, but not much. Uncased: After uncasing the tintype (which I previously thought was a daguerreotype because it was cased) I gently blew away most of the dust. That which did not blow away I dusted with a soft bristled brush, very gently. Without the dust, a better view of the young lady appeared. The tintype has experienced much fading. Who is she? She has yet to be identified.

Color: A color print allows one to see how various ambrotypes experience damage and discoloration. This one must have had a crack in the case which allowed fumes to seep inside. This one most likely was in my grandmother's possession when she used to smoke. I imagine the smoke seeped in and discolored the ambrotype. Black & White: After digitally altering the image so that it became a black and white one, the discoloration and deterioration is toned down and facial details are more apparent. Uncased: After uncasing the ambrotype, the extent of deterioration is more noticeable. Some of the varnish on the back has chipped away has made sections transparent. This is noted in the bottom right and left hand corners especially. Its time to transfer these ambrotypes to better cases because these copper frames have caused much damage. Who is he? This man is also unidentified.

Color: Discoloration has occurred in the center of this picture in a circular form, over the subject's face. Black & White: Using a photo editor to alter the image into a black and white one helped bring forward the features of this lady's face. Details of her black lace gloves notes wealth. Who is she? She has yet to be identified.

Color: In this color print of an ambrotype, one can especially notice the tinted coloring of this young man's cheeks. This ambrotype had varnish slathered on the back of the glass. Black & White: As a black and white image no details are especially gained or lost. Paper: After pyring the copper and glass case forward, I found a slip of paper inside. It was crumbled and very faded. It almost looks like money. Images are provided. Who is he? We have yet to determine his name and relation.

Black and White: This ambrotype was not protected in a case when it was found. At the photo shop they only provided me a black and white print of it. This ambrotype has experienced many scratches and marks while being unprotected. This lady's eyes also seem to jump out at the viewer. Who is she? She has yet to be identified.

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Glossary

ambrotype
An ambrotype is a picture taken on a glass plate, in which the lights are represented in silver, and the shades are produced by a dark background visible through the unsilvered portions of the glass. Usually the ambrotype has varnish, black velvet, or black paper applied to the back of the glass plate to produce this background. Ambrotypes are stored in cases much like daguerreotypes were kept in: wood and leather case with velvet facing the print.
For more information, Go to City Gallery's short article on ambrotypes

daguerreotype
An early form of the photograph, the daguerreotype was produced on a silver plate, or copper plate covered with silver, and rendered sensitive by the action of iodine, or iodine and bromine. After exposure in the camera, the latent image is developed by the vapor of mercury. Daguerreotypes are extremely chemical sensitive and were sandwiched between glass plates to in order to lock out any fumes which would quicken deterioration.
For more information, Go to A Thumbnail History of the Daguerreotype.

tintype
A tintype is an iron plate coated with a collodion silver mixture which is light sensitive. The back of a tintype was often covered with a lacquer in order to protect the exposed metal from rusting through the photographic image. Tintypes also made it available to receive multiple copies of the same picture from one sitting so one could pass around pictures to friends and family. Tintypes are also easily discerned from other types of early photographs because they will attract small magnets if held next to one.
For more information, Go to City Gallery's short article on tintypes.

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