What type of photograph is this?

Could anyone tell me what type of photograph the below is? I've seen a few of these in an oval shape. This particular one is on a postcard. Could you tell me when they came into existence and possible stopped being used?

 

I think the photo was created by the photographer putting a mask over the negative in printing. The mask blocked off everything that was not in the middle oval. I'm not sure whether this type of technique has a name, per se. Maybe somebody else knows.

 

Is 'sepia' the word you're looking for?

https://www.sepia.org/sepia-toning-a-milestone-in-early-photography/

 

It's just a type of masking as far as I know. Nothing to do with how the picture was taken or the age of it. I've seen round and oval pictures as such as early as 1850's. If you want the age of the photo itself, you could show the back of the postcard which will have features that will help narrow down a timeline.

 

Vignette.

 

Thank you for your comment. I’ve attached a photograph of the back of the postcard. I’ve already written who I believe (with great certainty!) the baby is. I'd really like the date to be confirmed further..

 

Ah I just found the below on this website: http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_PC_0/0_post_card_history.htm

 

http://www.metropostcard.com/card09postdivided.html 1907 if it's from the US. With no stamp box, its kinda harder to narrow it down. It's probably before the 20's though.

 

Yes 1907 in the US but 1902 onwards in the UK. This confirms to be now that I've correctly identified the baby in the photo. I wasn't sure if it could be one of the other two daughters in the family... but they were both born in 1900 and 1901.. so couldn't have been them. Thank you for your help! would be interesting to know the exact date in 1902 that Royal Mail enforced this..

 

The divided backed postcards started to be printed around September 1902 apparently... that helps my case even further!

 

How old would you guys say the baby is? Would be interesting to hear your estimations!

 

10 to 12 months...based on the teeth i can see...

 

Thank you for that. The baby in the photo was born in May 1919 so I think I can safely assume the photo was taken in 1920..