Figure 1.--This English Ambrotype was offered for sale described only as 'children with cart'. Tere is no location or date given. It was not a cased Ambro, but one with a hanging screw at the top, Overall size approximately 3 3/4 X 3 1/4 inches (9.5 x 8 cm). Most Ambros were made in the late-1850s and early-60s. The boys clothes, however, suggest a much later date. The sailor suit, shaort cut knee pants, and black long stockings here look to us very much like outfits worn in the 1890s or late-80s.

We have even found one image that looks like the 80s or early-90s. The sailor suit, shaort cut knee pants, and black long stickings here look to us very much like outfits worn in the 1890s or late-80s (figure 1). We have no information attached to this imafe, including the date it was made. Nor do we have any conformation, however, that Ambros were still being made at this late period. Of course the problem could be that we are not dating the images correctly. The 1880s seem well outside the time window for Ambros. But the fashions we see look much more like the 80s than 50s. we have not yet been able to explain this discrepancy. One reader suggests they may be tin-types. This is possible as we are going on dealer descriptions. The metal matts, however, do suggest that they are Ambros.

Created: 6:32 PM 12/27/2015
Last updated: 6:32 PM 12/27/2015