George Koohns' Family Portrait, Union Township, Perry County, Indiana, circa 1890

Summary

Tintypes, the popular "instant photographs" of the 19th century, could be produced in a matter of minutes at a price most people could afford. Tintypes democratized photography. Beginning in the mid-1850s, they gave more people than ever before the chance to have a real likeness of themselves--capturing unique glimpses of how everyday Americans looked and lived.

Tintypes, the popular "instant photographs" of the 19th century, could be produced in a matter of minutes at a price most people could afford. Tintypes democratized photography. Beginning in the mid-1850s, they gave more people than ever before the chance to have a real likeness of themselves--capturing unique glimpses of how everyday Americans looked and lived.

Material

Metal
Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Tintype (Process)

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Width: 5.875 in

Height: 4 in

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