Tintype? insde of closed frame?

Hoping someone can tell exactly what I have here. Measures 3" x 2 1/2". It appears to be a tintype or something like that inside of some kind of frame. The picture (a baby in a high chair?) is very dark and at an angle it looks a lot like the old negatives. Is there a name for this? Also is there a name for this type of frame. I can't figure out how the picture was put in unless the tin? border comes out so you can remove the glass.

 

The tarnish look around the edges suggests daguerreotype. See if a magnet is attracted to the back. A dag would be on copper and non-magnetic. An ambro may have a tin plate behind it.

Half of a wood and leather Union case.

 

@Figtree3

Hopefully Fig will see this and offer up more info (or correct me LOL)

I believe the frame is referred to as a "Union Case" It would have had a cover to it.

 

Thanks for taking a look Terry. I forgot to mention that it is 3/8" thick. A magnet does not stick to the back. Also there is a hook on one side of the frame?

 

The case originally had two halves. The hook it for latching them shut. Would have been hinged on the opposite side.

If non-magnetic then it is a dag or ambro rather than tintype.

 

Thanks Terry. What type of hinge would have been there? Maybe a cloth hinge? There doesn't appear to have been anything connected to opposite side.

desperate_fun, thanks. Union case gives me a direction to research.

 

A coarse cloth under the leather covering.

 

Thank you Terry!

 

Hi,

A daguerreotype looks like a shiny mirror when you look directly at it. It's often difficult to see the image unless you hold it at an angle. I can't tell if yours is like that or not. Don't confuse the "shiny mirror" effect with the cover glass over the image. Daguerreotypes look almost like the image is sort of embedded into a mirror. Hard to explain, but once you see it you would never mistake a dag for anything else.

This could be an ambrotype or a daguerreotype. I also would like to see it out of the case because then it would be extremely easy to tell what it is. And since it is in poor condition, taking it out of the case would not hurt it if you are careful.

I can say that technically the Union Case refers to the thermoplastic cases made from the mid 1850s to mid 1860s. What you have is not a Union Case. Instead it's a wood frame case covered in cloth. That being said, many people refer to all antique photo cases as union cases, so I can understand the confusion.

Ambrotypes and tintypes can be almost impossible to tell apart while still in the case. Since you say a magnet doesn't stick that would seem to eliminate tintype, as long as it's a good magnet.

There are techniques for getting these out of their cases but I'm not sure that I can explain it well. I use a method that is not recommended by most, and don't think I should include it here. This forum is searched by bots and shows up in online searches.

Here are a couple of pages that might help:
https://maureentaylor.com/tell-cased-images-apart/

http://www.city-gallery.com/learning/guide/cased-images.php

http://www.daguerre.org/default.asp?page=DagFAQ

 

Union was a company name and made cases of varied materials. Somehow another maker claimed Union as the name for his cases.

 

Thanks, hadn't heard that. Can you cite a source for this information? I'm always learning. Also, then are you saying this case was made by the Union company?

 

Interesting article written by Paul Berg, considered one of the authorities on union cases:
http://www.luminous-lint.com/app/vexhibit/_THEME_Ephemera_Cases_02/2/0/0/

 

Ok folks, I finally got around to taking this apart. The photo is on glass, albeit not in good shape. It's probably not worth listing on eBay but a good learning experience for me as I'm not familiar with this type.

With flash


backside


Looks like part of the picture was stuck

 

Yes, it is an ambrotype, not in good shape. Still, you might keep it as a learning tool. And somebody might actually want to buy it for the parts... the mat and preserver (the brass colored parts) if they are in good condition.

 

The brass is in good condition. Not beat up or corroded. Thanks for the info.