This is an original tintype photograph (also known as a ferrotype) dating from approximately the 1860s to early 1870s, during the height of the tintype’s popularity. The tintype process, patented in 1856, used a thin sheet of iron coated with a dark lacquer or enamel as the photographic base. These durable images became the most widely produced photographs of the Civil War era—affordable, portable, and able to be made in minutes. This particular image depicts a young woman seated in a studio, posed with quiet dignity and self-assurance. Her direct gaze and composed expression suggest a sense of poise and intelligence. She wears a striking plaid dress featuring a fitted bodice trimmed with decorative ribbon work across the chest and at the cuffs. The high neckline is fastened with a small brooch, and her earrings and bracelet complete the modest but elegant appearance. Her neatly styled dark hair is parted at the center and smoothed into a braided or pinned-back arrangement, typical of mid-19th-century fashion. The patterned plaid dress was a fashionable choice during the 1860s, as bold textiles and geometric patterns became more accessible through industrial textile production. Her pose—with one hand resting lightly on her lap and the other on a support—was common for portrait photography of the period, as longer exposure times required the subject to remain perfectly still. The photograph retains fine contrast and clarity, allowing close study of facial details and clothing texture. The background is simple and unadorned, focusing attention entirely on the sitter. The reverse is plain black metal, as is characteristic of tintypes. There is no photographer’s imprint, which was typical, as tintypes were often produced quickly in itinerant studios or fairs. This tintype dates back to circa 1865 to 1870. The image is in very good antique condition with expected surface scuffs and minor edge wear. The top corners are slightly clipped, Overall, the tintype remains well-preserved with a strong, well-defined image. Tintypes were particularly popular among Civil War soldiers and families, as they could be easily mailed or carried without fear of breakage. By the late 1870s, the process declined in professional studios but continued at fairs and carnivals well into the 1890s. SOLD
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 
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