I've recently come accross a tintype that baffles me. The overall
dimension of the piece is 1 13/16". Within that dimension is a brass
frame 1/8" wide by 3/32" tall. The brass frame is mechanically fastened
to the tintype, by a very professional crimp in the back. This had to be
done by machine.
The back of the tintype is steel and has the faintest beginnings of
rusty spyderwebs. but has been "blued' (actually brown). There is no
evidence where a pin back could have been put on or has been removed.
There is no covering over the tintype, nor is there evidence that this
was put into a case.
The person in the tintype is my great uncle and guessing from his age in
the photo I place it around 1904-1910.According to the history of
tintype that I was fed in college, this can't be. Tintypes were dead
(excuse me "ceased being popular", we all know ferrography is still
being practiced an therefore isn't dead) long before this.
I proposed to my great aunt that it might have been taken at a county or
state fair by some "oldtimer" that was still holding on to the old
process and could give "instant" prints. But I have no evidence to
prove my creative scenario.
Forgive me not being able to send a scan. I'm in the market for one, but
considering the injet thread, I'm not about to ask this group for their
opinion.
Any ideas? comments? Anybody seen anything like this?
Les