Early Photographs

Do you have a box of old family photos tucked away in a drawer or collecting dust on a shelf somewhere? Are they labeled? Do you know where the person fits on the family tree? If not, knowing about the early photographs may help you identify when the photo was taken and who the ancestor might be.

Before 1900, there were five types of photographic formats: Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Carte-de-Visite and Cabinet Cards. Below are brief descriptions these early photographs and when they were most popular.

Daguerreotypes

Daguerreotype Boy by Family Tree Video — 1840s Daguerreotype

The Daguerreotype, invented in France by Louis Daguerre in 1839, is a photo image on a silver-plated copper sheet. The highly polished metal surface acts like a mirror, reversing the image which appears or disappears depending on the angle of the light. Typically 2½” x 3¼” in size, the Daguerreotype was covered with glass, set in a bright brass mount and sealed in a hinged wooden case or frame. Daguerreotypes were popular from 1842 to 1856 but were replaced by the less expensive Ambrotypes by 1860.

Ambrotypes

History of Photography by family Tree Video Chicago

An Ambrotype is a type of early photograph developed in the 1850s as a more affordable alternative to the daguerreotype. Created by coating a glass plate with a light-sensitive collodion emulsion, the ambrotype involves exposing the plate in a camera and then developing it to produce a negative image. When viewed against a dark background, the negative appears as a positive image. Known for its clarity and detail, the ambrotype quickly became popular for portrait photography, offering a more accessible and durable option than its predecessor.

Tintypes

A Tintype, also known as a ferrotype, is an early photographic process introduced in the 1850s. It involves creating a direct positive image on a thin sheet of iron coated with a dark lacquer or enamel. The process is similar to the ambrotype but uses iron instead of glass, making tintypes more durable and less expensive. Popular for their affordability and quick processing time, tintypes were commonly used for portrait photography and became a popular medium during the Civil War era and well into the late 19th century.

Carte-de-Visite (CDV)

History of Photography by Family Tree Video

A carte-de-visite (CDV) is a type of small photograph mounted on a card, which became popular in the mid-19th century. Introduced in the 1850s by French photographer André-Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri, CDVs typically measure about 2.5 x 4 inches. The photographic print, usually an albumen print, is pasted onto a piece of card stock. Because of their small size, ease of production, and affordability, CDVs were commonly used for portraiture and exchanged as personal mementos. They also became collectibles, with people often amassing albums of CDVs featuring family members, friends, celebrities, and notable figures of the time.

Cabinet Cards

A cabinet card is a type of photograph mounted on a stiff cardboard backing, popular from the 1870s to the early 20th century. Typically measuring about 4.5 x 6.5 inches, the cabinet card featured a larger image than the earlier carte-de-visite, allowing for greater detail and display. The photograph, usually an albumen print, was affixed to the card, which often bore the photographer’s name and studio details. Cabinet cards were commonly used for portrait photography and were often displayed in homes or collected in albums, serving as a popular medium for preserving personal and family images during the late 19th century.

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What is your oldest family photo? Let us know in the comment section below!

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Early Photographs