Photography: Ambrotype--Chronology


Figure 1.--Unfortunately most ambrotypes were not dated. Ambrotypes can, however, roughly be dated to the 1850s, especially the mid- and late-1850s. But there were also many taken in the very early 60s before CDVs became well established. This boy's name was Ralph W. Maxwell. He was photographed in August 1861 at Haley's studio in Boston.

The Ambrotype portraits are the esiest to date because they were only popular for a very short time period--about 10 years. Most Ambrotypes were taken in the 1850s, but we see some taken in the early- and even mid-1860s. Frederick Scott Archer in in 1851 announced that he had developed a new type of photography. It was less expensive than a Daguerreotype and thus soon began to replace the Daguerreotype process. I am not sure just how quickly Archer succeeded in introducing his new process. Several sources refer to Ambrotypes as beginning about 1855. I think this may refer to when the Ambrotype began to appear in large numbers. Apparently by the mid-1850s the Ambrotype had become the dominant form of photographic portraiture in the United States. Ambrotypes were made from the 1850s through the early 1860s. The were, however, by the mid-1860s, increasingly replaced by negative photography--especially the cartes-de-visite (CDV). The fact that the Ambrotype was such a popular process from the mid-50s to the early 60s is useful to know in attempting to date these images. Ambrotypes were probably made after the very early 1860s, however, we believe that there were not many made in comparison to the number of CDVs. One example is portraits of David Platt. of While cheaper than a Daguerreotype, the Ambrotype were still more expensive than CDVs and less desirable because the image was of a lower quality and not easily stored in albums for display. Thus there were strong inducements for photographers to rapidly make the tranhsition. It can thus be assumed that most ambrotypes were made in the mid- and late-1850s or very early 60s (1860-62).

1851

Frederick Scott Archer in in 1851 announced that he had developed a new type of photography. I am not sure just how quickly Archer succeeded in introducing his new process. Individuals vary as to the quality of the image compared to a Daguerreotype. There was no doubt, however, that the process was less expensive because it used class rather than an expensive pollished metal plate.

1852-53

Presumably Anbros were produced in Engkland during 1852 and 53. They do not seem very common and we have yet to archive. We believe trade mark protection limited the rapid development of the process,.

1854

We do not noticed dated Ambros in America until 1854. There may have been some earlier ones, but they were not very common.Trade mark protection was very weak and the process rapidly spead after it first appeared. And when the Anros appeared in America, they were virtually all done in cases as was common for Dags. The Ambros were of course even for fragile than Dags. Isaac Rehn, Arch Street, Philadelphia was an early leader with Ambrotype photography in America. And he marketed some if his portraits with the date stamkped into the metal frames. We these images wearing a dark military-styled jacket with a buttoned collar and multiple buttons. This helps to date the style.

1855-57

Several sources refer to Ambrotypes as beginning about 1855. I think this may refer to when the Ambrotype began to appear throughout America in large numbers. Apparently by the mid-1850s the Ambrotype had become the dominant form of photographic portraiture in the United States. It was less expensive and faster than a Daguerreotype. And even though it was more fragile, it soon began to replace the Daguerreotype process. Ambrotypes were made in large numbers during the late-1850s. It can thus be assumed that most ambrotypes were made in the mid- and late-1850s or very early 60s (1860-62). Thus the late-1850s was the peak of popularity for the Ambro. It is possible to date the Ambros made during this period with a fair degree of precission. Early Ambros used two pieces of glass glued together. The image was sandwiched between the two panes. This technique was prevalent in America from 1854 to about 1857.

1858

Amrotype photographers begn using a single pane of glass (1858). This quickly became standard for the industry. Another inniovation that became popular in 1858 as Ambrotypists developed their craft was colored class. The most common was ruby colored glass to give skin tones. Some studios also used dark green class, bit it is much less common. It was used to eliminated the need for a dark backing.

Early-1860s

We still see a considerable number of Ambrotypes in the early-1860s. They now, however, had to compete with the new CDVs. It took the public a while to adjust from expensived cased images to the inexpensive CDV with better image quality. Before this time, however, we still see quite a number of Ambros. This occurred during the 1860s and was largely complete by 1864. This was just as America was descemnding into the hell of Civil War (1861-65). Many American soldiers took cased photographs, mostly ambrotypes, to war with them to remind themselves of harth and home. One of the best knowm Ambros is an example of one of these portraits. It was found on the climatic Gettysburg battleground. An unknown soldier was found clutching an Ambrotype of his three children. He had been wounded and as he laid dieing was gazing upon his precious children (July 1, 1863). The portrait was the only clue to his identity. Newspapers launched a huge publicity campaign to identify the children and thus their family. His widow and children who had no idea of why they were no longer hearing from him were identified within a month in Portville, New York. He was Sergeant Amos Humiston of the 154th New York Volunteers. He was killed in the fierce fighting the first day of the battle during which out-gunned Federal soldiers prevented the advancing Confederates from seizing Culps Hill which became the keystone of the Federal defensive line. The portrait of the children was probably taken in 1861 or 62. Dating these early-1860s Ambros is difficult because so few are dated. Civil War props, however, offer some clues. Clothing styles are less helpful as we are talking about such a short period of time between the Ambro appeared and then declined in popularity.

Mid-1860s

By the mid-60s we see far more CDVs than cased portraits like Ambros and Dags. With relatively rare exceptions, the mid-60s is the last time we see any number of ambrotypes. Ambros by the mid-1860s were increasingly replaced by negative photography and albumen prints--especially the cartes-de-visite (CDV). The fact that the Ambrotype was such a popular process from the mid-50s to the early 60s is useful to know in attempting to date these images. Ambrotypes were probably made after the very early 1860s, however, we believe that there were not many made in comparison to the number of CDVs. We no longer see large numbers of Anvtos by the mid-1860s. We do, however, see a few. One example is portraits of David Platt. White dated Ambros are rare, we do see several with Civil War revenue stamps meaning that they were taken during 1864-66. We note revenue totals of 3-4 cents which give a clue as to the cost of an ambro. Costs could vary depending on the size.

Late-1860s

We no longer see Ambros in the late-1860s. While cheaper than a Daguerreotype, the Ambrotype were still more expensive than CDVs and less desirable because the image was of a lower quality and not easily stored in albums for display. Thus there were strong inducements for photographers to rapidly make the transition.

Sources








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Created: 12:25 AM 8/6/2007
Last updated: 1:11 AM 9/27/2016