Portrait Visiting Card of Ira A. Lount, circa 1870

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Artifact Overview

Tintypes, the popular "instant photographs" of the 19th century, could be produced in a matter of minutes a price most people could afford. Available in a range of sizes, the tintype's durability encouraged some creative uses. Tintypes were so inexpensive that some people, like Ira A. Lount, even included their "gem" portrait (the smallest tintype size, ranging 3/4 to 1 inch) on calling cards.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Tintype (Photograph)

Date Made

circa 1870

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

36.361.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Iron (Metal)

Technique

Tintype (Process)
Printing (Process)

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 1.938 in
Width: 3.188 in

Portrait Visiting Card of Ira A. Lount, circa 1870