Here’s a beautiful ambrotype I picked up recently for next-to-nothing because it was described as damaged.

[brian@awesome.garden]

Here’s a beautiful ambrotype I picked up recently for next-to-nothing because it was described as damaged. Ambrotypes show as negatives when not backed by something dark. In some cases, as with this one, the glass is coated with a black paint or lacquer. Over time, that coating can flake and fall away, making it seem like the image is damaged. But, unless the silver nitrate/collodion emulsion also separates from the glass, all you need to do to “repair” an ambrotype in this condition is carefully open the case and back it with a bit of black, acid-free paper.

This was probably taken in the 1850s-1860s. I love that she’s holding another cased portrait and the detail in her lace gloves.

#photography #ambrotype #vintagephotography #wetplatecollodions #victorian #portrait