Figure 1.--This early CDV was taken in 1864. The comvention of prinying the studio and city at the bottom of the card had not yet developed. All we have is the photographer--Friederich Gsund. (His first name is on the back of the card.) The city is not indicated. Very eaely, however, the convention came to be to print the studio on the left and and the city on the right.

The various characteristics of CDVs, especially the mounts, can be important clues in helping to date he many cards without any privinance. The first cards were quite simple. Prints were initially pasted on thin white or ivory stock which had with square corners. There were initially no idely accepted conventions for CDV mounts. Very quickly photographers began using the cards to identify their business, a convinient form of advertisement. Soon a standard format developed. The photographer put his name at the bottom left and the city opposite it at the bottom right. The bavls were more varied. Gradually thicker stock became standard as did rounded corners. Colors were introduced There were a variety of colors such as light green and pink as well as white and cream. [McCulloch] The white/cream colors in particular are subject to yellowing or other discolortion over time. A new format developed by the 1880s with CDVs made to look like the more elaborate cabinent card mounts.

Sources

McCulloch, Lou W. In Card Photographs: A Guide to Their History and Value (Schiffer).

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Created: 5:00 AM 3/14/2009
Last updated: 5:00 AM 3/14/2009