Ambrotype – Also known as a collodion positive. The ambrotype photograph was made by coating a piece of glass with a silver solution and exposing this to the image. The image is sometimes on the back of a glass plate and is sandwiched with another glass behind it. The ambrotype was packaged in the same manner as the daguerreotype, encased with a mat, top glass, and preserver; and then placed in a case.
Cabinet card – The cabinet card was made by using the same steps for creating CDVs. However, the cabinet card’s image area was more than double the CDV. Due to its size, it was easy to view from a distance and were originally displayed in cabinets along with other family treasures. It was introduced in the late 1860s in England, but did not gain much attention in the U.S. until the mid-1870s.
Carte de visite – Also known as a CDV, is a photographic print that is mounted on a stiff card, and the term describes the size of the photo, which is about 2 ½” x 4”. The size made it perfectly suited for people to send by mail and carry with them to hand out to friends and family.
Daguerreotype – The predominate means of photography until the late 1850s. Images were made on highly polished silver plates. It exhibits the characteristics of a mirror at many angles. The images are very delicate, tarnishing if exposed to air, therefore they always come in protective cases. Although they were sealed under glass, it is very common to find characteristic signs of tarnishing around the edges of the daguerreotype.
‘Snap Shot’ Posts – Not every rescued photo find yields a detailed or wildly interesting narrative. This isn’t to say that the sitters’ lives were void of intriguing occurrences. It simply means that I’m not always able to dig up and therefore share these fascinating tidbits. I’m still dedicated to sharing as many of the found photos in my collection as possible.
Tin type – The tintype, also known as a ferrotype, is a coated iron plate on which images are developed. It was introduced in 1856 and remained popular into the late 1890s. It often was housed in a paper sleeve.
Sources:
19th Century Card Photos Kwik Guide by Gary W. Clark
National Media Museum – Daguerreotypes
PhotoTree – Ambrotype
PhotoTree – Daguerreotype
PhotoTree – CDV
PhotoTree – Cabinet Card
the rescued photo 