Sixth-Plate Ambrotype

Sixth-Plate Ambrotype (1855 - 1865), 19th century portrait, ornate 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 this spectacularly preserved vintage Union Case is a half-length portrait of a Civil-War era soldier, clad in traditional military garb which has been detailed in gold tint. The bearded man, whose cheeks are tinted pink, is solemnly posing with his left hand resting on his stomach. The image is framed by an embellished oval gold frame. The interior of the front cover is lined in red velvet emblazoned with vine-design work. The exterior of the thermoplastic case is etched with military-inspired imagery, including canons and canon balls, shields and the American flag. Case is completely attached by metal hinges and still retains the closure clasp, which is fully-functioning.

In fine condition, with some silvering around the edges of the image.