AboutDavid Silver Expertise I'm an expert on all types of antique, classic, and contemporary cameras, as well as the general history of photography. Everything from ancient box cameras to modern single-lens-reflex; from simple Kodaks to sophisticated Leica and Nikon; from glass plates and roll film to movie and 35mm. I can identify and appraise them, explain how they work, and offer insights on their restoration and care. I can also provide historical background on vintage cameras and equipment, and guidelines on their purchase and sale.
Experience I've been a professional photographer and a student of the history of photography for nearly 30 years. During that time my collection of vintage cameras and photographic paraphernalia has grown beyond 2000 significant pieces. I've published nearly 70 articles in the field, including 16 in the popular "Buying Classic Cameras" series for PHOTO SHOPPER MAGAZINE from 1995 to 1997, I'm currently a contributing editor for CAMERA SHOPPER MAGAZINE and McKEOWN'S PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CAMERAS, and I've written numerous entries for WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA. Portions of my collection have been displayed in museums and special exhibits in the past two decades, and many of the items were photographed as illustrations for books. In 1985 I founded the International Photographic Historical Organization (InPHO), which eventually evolved into its intended purpose as the best first resource for information on the history of photography. I'm also a founding member of several e-mail forums dedicated to specialized areas of photography, and I'm the moderator of the Internet Directory of Camera Collectors (IDCC), which remains the largest and most successful such group in the world. For more information about the International Photographic Historical Organization and its many services, please visit its web pages at:
Expert: David Silver Date: 10/23/2005 Subject: tin types?
Question My husband's father recently gave us pictures of his grandmother and father on metal plates. They resemble political buttons if you will, but much larger,about the size of a desert plate. The photos are in a sepia oval, but the background is cream with blue flowers all around.My father-in-law is 85yrs old so these have to be late 1800. These pictures could have been done in Albania but not sure. My question is how to care for them. They are showing corrosion on the back and I wanted to frame them. Will Framing them cause more corrosion. Any suggestions would be appreciated.Thank you so much.
Answer Hello,
These big photo buttons do date from about 1880 to as late as 1915. The best way to precisely date your examples is by considering the clothes. Just like today, fashions throughout the 19th century changed very quickly, so if you can see enough of the clothes, they may be a strong indicator of the year the photos were taken. Look in the library for books on 19th century clothes.
These photos will be one of two things. If the images are captured directly on the metal surface, they are tintypes, a very common form of inexpensive quick photograph that was produced by the zillions. Most typical small tintypes of people sell for about $5 each today, examples larger than about 3 x 4 inches start to get more expensive, and very large examples in excess of 8 x 10 inches can sell for up to $100. About 99% of all tintypes are under that 3 x 4 inch threshold. Images of things other than people are much more uncommon on tintypes and occasionally very expensive. If your photo buttons, considering their size, are tintypes, they are worth about $50 to $75 each today. The other possibility is that they are paper images that have been laminated onto metal button backs. The images are usually so well pressed and varnished onto the metal that sometimes it is difficult to tell. These are more common than the tintypes buttons, but are still not seem very often these days. If your buttons are of this sort, they are worth about $35 to $50 each today.
To care for them, do absolutely nothing! In either case, they are very sensitive to physical contact and should NEVER be wiped or cleaned. If the images begin to degrade, there is nothing you can do except keep them away from the more destructive natural elements (humidity, extreme temperature changes, and direct or prolonged exposure to sunlight), and keep them as dust free as possible. Framing is not a bad idea, as long as you then hang the images where direct sunlight never touches them, and in a place where they will not suffer exposure to humidity and temperature extremes. If necessary, to remove surface dust, you can VERY carefully brush them with a VERY soft (like "camel hair") brush, but NEVER attempt to clean them with solvents, soap, or any liquids! Especially with tintypes, the image may wash off!! As for the corrosion on the back, it shouldn't have any effect on the images, and further corrosion may cease if the buttons are properly archivally framed.
