Figure 1.-- These antique tintypes are in a union case with a richly embossed beehive and array of hand-held farm tools. It has embracing riveted hinges and latch. The portraits are undated, but because of the patent, we know that the portraits were almost certainly taken after 1856. It is thus likely that they were taken in the late 1850s. . |
These antique tintypes are in a union case with a richly embossed beehive and array of hand-held farm tools. It has embracing riveted hinges and latch. The portraits are undated, but because of the patent, we know that the portraits were almost certainly taken after 1856. It is thus likely that they were taken in the late 1850s. We believe they were almost certainly taken before 1860.
The Case contains two tintype portraits. Unfortunately neither is identified. The first is of two boys standing while they each hold large altar candles. They also hold gutta percha holy prayer books. Presumably they are brothers. The owner tells us that the second image is "an altar boy sitting relaxed and peaceful with his hands folded. He wears a skull cap and holy robes of silk and velvet." We wonder if the child may be a girl wearing a fancy dress. We don't see a scull cap, but rather a curious hair style. We are not sure who this child is and the relatiion to the two boys. These portraits are especially interesting, because it is one of the earliest photographic images we have of boys with a religious theme. We suspect that the boys are Catholic, perhaps doing their First Communion. As the portraits appear to be from Maine, the boys may be of French Canadian origins. The images are in excellent condition for tin types. They are a Standard 1/9 plate 2" x 2.5". The gutta percha plate union case is a rare double theme case. It is a Littlefield, Parsons case patented 1856, 1857, and is 2.50" x 3". This is a perfect example of a 1/9 plate Gutta Percha Theme Thermoplastic. Elegant Beehive/Farm design. The surrounding frames are engraved gold colored brass.
Elaborate cases for these positive photographs (daguerotypes, amrotypes, tun-typecs, ect.) were very popular in the 1850s and 60s. They might be proped open on a table or other furniture in the home. They were also small enough that they might be carried on the person. Thes antique tintypes here are in a union case with a richly embossed beehive and array of hand-held farm tools. It has embracing riveted hinges and latch. The gutta percha plate union case is a rare double theme case. It is a Littlefield, Parsons case patented 1856, 1857, and is 2.50" x 3". This is a perfect example of a 1/9 plate gutta percha theme thermoplastic. Elegant beehive/farm design. The surrounding frames are engraved gold colored brass.
The portraits are undated, but because of the patent, we know that the portraits were almost certainly taken after 1856. They portraits could have been taken earlier and put un the case, but it is more likely that they were put in the case at the time the portraits were taken. It is thus likely that they were taken in the late 1850s. They could have been taken in the 1860s, but we believe they were almost certainly taken before 1860. The clothes seem right for the period.
The portraits are unidentified and we this do not know where they were taken. The portraits, however, are being sold in Maine. Thus we believe it is likely that the boys were photographed in Maine.
The Case contains two tintype portraits. Unfortunately neither is identified. The first is of two boys standing while they each hold large altar candles. I think this means that they were Catholic, perhaps doing their First Communion. They also hold gutta percha holy prayer books. Presumably they are brothers. The owner tells us that the second image is "an altar boy sitting relaxed and peaceful with his hands folded. He wears a skull cap and holy robes of silk and velvet." We wonder if the child may be a girl wearing a fancy dress. We don't see a scull cap, but rather a curious hair style. We are not sure who this child is and the relatiion to the two boys. These portraits are especially interesting, because it is one of the earliest photographic images we have of boys with a religious theme. We suspect that the boys are Catholic, perhaps doing their First Communion. As the portraits appear to be from Maine, the boys may be of French Canadian origins.
The images are in excellent condition for tin types. They are a Standard 1/9 plate 2" x 2.5".
Gutta percha is the milky juice of varaious Malaysian trees of the Sapopdilla family. It was made to produce a rubberized gum that in the 19th century was used for dental cement, golf balls, and insulating electrical wires. It was used, for example, in the first trans-Atlantic cables, but did not prove effective. I am not sure, but I think it was used here to create the decorative covers instread of leather which was also commonly used.
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