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Archiver > CHANNEL-ISLANDS > 1999-03 > 0921261318


From: "picus" <>
Subject: Old Photographs
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1999 17:55:18 -0000


"Old" photography is generating a lot of interest for the list.
I am not sure if Trevor Vibert received a private reply to
his (7th March) query re. a rusting metal plate photograph
in his possession. David L. Mishkin indicates that this type
of printing on a thin sheet of iron was patented by Hamilton
Smith in 1856....... the process, commonly known as tintype
- but should really be ferrotype as no tin is used, was an
easily handled form of photography and popular with
travelling photographers until as late as the 1930's.
It is difficult to date a 'tintype' for they were made in millions
and are very commonly found today ( I have some, myself)

I got this info. from David Mishkin's website at
http://www.webcom.com/~cityg/photogen/handbook/mishkin_1-2.html
--- and well worth the visit !

In Jersey, much from the many "early" photographers is now
lost (or scattered abroad) - - the Soc. Jer. has a collection of
unidentified photographic prints with no way (but serendipity)
to say who? or where? There does not seem to have survived
much of any photographer's indexing/files, invoicing etc. to
help identification from "the numbers written on the back"

My own pride and joy is the photographic view of St. Helier
that I managed to squeeze into the Jersey 1871 Census Index.
It would appear to be the earliest surviving 'photographic' view.
This one is not a tintype however, but I'm afraid the paper
reproduction of the publication does not do the
detail available any justice at all.

Ray Le Pivert
Jersey

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