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.

Featured within one half of a vintage Union Case is a half-length portrait of a gentleman, clad in a suit and tie, staring pointedly towards the camera. The image is framed by an embellished oval gold frame, and although the front cover is missing, the remaining back panel still bears half of the original closure clasps.

In very good condition, with a separation at the hinge and moderate wear to the back panel.