Civil War Photos

A tintype is basically an image taken on a thin iron plate. It's then backed with a black backing. Tintypes came in different sizes and were very cheap to produce. This is a photo of a Union officer.

An ambroytpe is just like a tintype except the image is on glass instead of iron. Ambrotypes are also called ambros and they come in the same sizes as tintypes. This photo is of a boy in a militia uniform. He's wearing a black-canvas covered kepi (I think that's what they're called). It might even be called a gum-cloth kepi. I think this is a Union uniform.

A daguerreotype was the type of photo used before the civil war. It was outdated just about the time the war started, though I think some were still used. Daguerreotypes have a mirror-like reflection and they're actually made on silver or silver coated metal. This photo actually isn't of a Civil War soldier. It says it's of a California gold miner. Very cool!

This is an original camera that takes a daguerreotype. It must be pretty rare because the seller wants $15,000 for it. The description says "Daguerreotype Camera Chamfered Box, Rosewood. Lens is marked Holmes Booth & Haydens, New York and is 2" in diameter. The camera has 2 door on top, a sliding box inside."

A cabinet card is even cheaper to make than tin types and the other kinds of photos. Cabinets are also what's called albumen prints, which is basically like a cardboard material. This photo says it of a GAR Grand Army of the Republic member. It could be taken during the civil war but it's probably taken afterwards.

A CDV is like a cabinet card but was made earlier and had less elaborate markings and writings on the back. This carte de visite is of a boy in a Confederate uniform. The seller believes he may be a member of Company E, 8th. OVC.