Photographic Artists
Joseph Battersby
Edwin L. Brand
John Carbutt
Samuel M. & Adele C. Fassett
Alexander Hesler
Copelin & Melander
George Barnard
Charles D. Mosher
John Carl Frederik Polycarpus von Schneidau
William Shaw
Joshua Smith
Collections
1868—John Carbutt’s Biographical Sketches of the Leading Men of Chicago
Photography Trade
1875—Photography in Chicago
When an individual visited a photo studio in the late 1850s, he could choose the style of portrait—shiny reflective daguerreotype, glass ambrotype, metal tintype or a carte de visite (paper card photo). This is a key part of identifying a photo from the mid-19th century. If an image was taken before 1854, then it’s a daguerreotype, but if it was taken after that point, then it could be one of the others.
Daguerreotypes
Daguerreotypes, introduced in 1839, have a distinctive appearance. Because they’re reflective, you have to tilt them at a 45-degree angle in order to view the image. Otherwise, the silver-coated copper plate is often so shiny you just see yourself in the plate.
Ambrotypes
Ambrotypes, patented in 1854, are on glass. Backed with a dark substance (such as varnish or paper) they look positive, but when the backing starts to deteriorate, you can often see through the glass. This gives the image a ghostly appearance.
Tintypes
Tintypes, patented in 1856, are actually on iron, not tin. Unlike a daguerreotype, tintypes are not reflective. While you can find them in cases (like the previous two image types), most tintypes found in collections aren’t in any type of protective sleeve or case.
Ivorytypes
Cartes de visite
Card photographs (introduced in the United States about 1859) are on cardstock and instantly recognizable.
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