Occupational Tintypes
11 artifacts in this set
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The staff at The Henry Ford
Plasterer with his Tools, circa 1870
Tintype (Photograph)
Most occupational tintypes were of men rather than women--it was a male-dominated workforce during much of the 19th century. This plasterer is "armed" with his trowel and plasterer's hawk, used to hold plaster while working.
Salesman Displaying his Wares, circa 1860
Tintype (Photograph)
For his portrait, this drygoods salesman not only brought along "props"--thread, buttons, and fabric--from his retail establishment, but a "customer" as well.
Three Railroad Workers Holding Lanterns and Lunch Pails, circa 1883
Tintype (Photograph)
The type of lanterns these men hold let us know that they work for a railroad. These workers brought along their lunchboxes for the photograph as well! With industrialization, more people worked at jobs that took them away from home all day.
Two Textile Workers with Spindles of Yarn, circa 1870
Tintype (Photograph)
These young women worked in a textile mill, tending power looms. By 1870, increasingly efficient looms had reduced the number of textile workers--who performed more work for lower wages.
Young Cooper Holding a Hammer, circa 1899
Tintype (Photograph)
This young man was a cooper--a tradesman who made wooden barrels for shipping products or storing materials.
Typesetter, Butcher, and Blacksmith with their Tools, circa 1880
Tintype (Photograph)
These three young men posed for their tintype with the tools of their disparate trades--typesetter, butcher, and blacksmith. Perhaps they were brothers or friends. The blacksmith had the most challenging "visual aid" to bring to the studio-- a 200-pound anvil on a wood block!
Mrs. Plumb and Friends Working on Clothing and Hats, circa 1885
Tintype (Photograph)
Some women made a living using a traditionally-feminine skill--sewing. These women are shown working on hats and clothing. Could they be professional seamstresses and milliners? Or talented friends?
Letter Carrier in Uniform, circa 1885
Tintype (Photograph)
Letter carriers--along with police officers and firefighters--enjoyed semi-professional status by serving on public payrolls. Many of these occupations had not existed a generation earlier, yet they became increasingly numerous and necessary to urban life in the later 19th century.
Firefighter in Uniform, circa 1885
Tintype (Photograph)
This man's hat and clothing clearly identify him as a firefighter. He proudly wears his dress parade uniform, not the more practical version worn when on the job.
Farriers Fitting a Horseshoe, circa 1885
Tintype (Photograph)
In an age when most transportation still depended on horses, farriers and blacksmiths had to keep these equine "engines" well shod. This occupational tintype is less common--taken outdoors rather than in a studio. It wouldn’t have been practical to pose the entire scene indoors!
Artist Painting a Self-Portrait, 1890-1910
Tintype (Photograph)
This "artsy" tintype image is a portrait within a portrait. The artist posed with brushes and palette, and his work-in-progress--his self-portrait.