Featured New cool Ambrotype M/20

Hi folks

something else i bought from the guy i bought the ring off

as above i paid what i thought i could perhaps gamble on but not a thrift find/price

and have never seen such a clearer one, also loved the frame

theres probably a QI answer from Alan (if you know what i mean harry)

but thoughts help appreciated

 

i'm guessing maybe american to have that kind of look though right ?

 

A beauty. Is the frame brass,cast iron ?
PS-I once read about tips/tricks that collectors & auction houses use to get pristine photos of these ancient (highly reflective !) images.Can't recall 100%,but something like placing the pic in a open faced flat black,obviously non-reflective box to block out extraneous light sources.
@2manybooks or @Debora can prob track down instructions.

 

good ol wood buddy, though unsure if its carved

yep hard to photo as on glass so at a little angle, is the only wat to get a half decent shot

 

the piece surrounding the photograph is metal though, and also the piece coating the glass (copper or such)

but the main body of the frame be wood

 

Very nice ambrotype.

The mat and the preserver (the thin metal that wraps around the assembly) were typically of brass. The frame looks like a miniature version of a picture frame of the period - wood, with decoration made of molded "compo".

https://cameo.mfa.org/wiki/Composition

 

very helpful indeed, thanks 2mb, that would explain that slightly odd colour in the decorational bits

 

i do like that upward side hair flick thing he's got going on

 

them things ?

 

Is the image reversed, as in a mirror image of the sitter? I can't make out enough detail to see how his coat or waistcoat button, but that would be a good clue. If it's NOT a mirror image, then it doesn't necessarily need a cover glass, as the emulsion is on the reverse, and the japanning applied over the emulsion. If that's the case, I would gently open the binding and insert a piece of black cardstock to prevent damage to the image.
If the emulsion/image is on the front surface of the glass, then it's been varnished, probably with gum sandarac. In that case, I'd find a way to give it a cover glass.

Great image, is it a half-plate size?

 

Think the chaps of the 19th century were looking to mimic the hairstyles & whiskers of the Roman/Greek classical eras (like everything else).
Look,here's the strapping fellow Himself sporting the upswept temples.
Loverly frame-look great perched in a shadow box ?
PS-Looks like Abe Lincoln's brother-hey,wait a sec !

 

Yo Frank.......the size of the glass is approx 4 3/8 by 3 1/2 so don't know what that makes it

with the back off it looks like the thick black emulsion is on the back

have taken a pic, but camera charging now

 

Sounds like a quarter plate.

 

i think what we're seeing as the front of the glass frame is actually the front of the ambrotype, so all that specky dusty might just clean right off i guess ?

 

As long as there's not emulsion/varnish on the front, yes. Carefully remove it from the frame, lay the image on a padded surface, and carefully open the binder. Remove the glass plate with the image. What I've done with similar ambros is get make-up brush (clean) or a camera lens dust brush and brush it off. Next, some lens cleaning tissue or a microfiber lens cloth, and a drop or two of lens cleaning solution, and clean the glass. Reassemble everything, and like I said, I'd use some black cardstock to protect the japan back.

 

Wonder if it could be bois durci.

 

All good information thanks Frank

and to think i had it banging away in a plastic bag without wrapping yesterday

 

You come across the coolest stuff, Ches. That frame alone is amazing and the ambro is superb

 

thanks my good friend ........tiny tim did not bad up against the wealth of Ebenezer

....i guess the pretend crutches worked like a charm on this fella as well