Sixth-Plate Ambrotype

Sixth-Plate Ambrotype (1855 - 1865), 19th century portrait, vintage Union Case, 2.75 x 3.25. Developed in 1851 by Frederick Scott Archer, ambrotype, or amphitype, hails from the Greek words "immortal" and "impression." These images were impressed on glass through a variant of the wet plate collodion process. They required shorter exposure times than daguerreotypes and were more affordable to manufacture, two factors which contributed to their rise in popularity before the advent of the carte de visite in the early 1860s.

A truly unique offering, the image of this young man has been applied to glass with the traditional ambrotype technique, but a background outline of black paint has been applied to round the figure out. Behind the image is an original albumen photograph of a city scene, giving the entire presentation a three-dimensional feel. An elaborately embellished gold frame borders the images, and the interior of the front cover is lined with floral-emblazoned red velvet. Although the case is detached at the hinge, it still bears the original, functioning closure clasp.

A separation at the hinge, otherwise fine condition.