Salesman Displaying his Wares, circa 1860

THF278414 / Salesman Displaying his Wares, circa 1860
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Artifact Overview

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.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Tintype (Photograph)

Date Made

circa 1860

Subject Date

circa 1860

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

94.116.11

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Iron (Metal)

Technique

Tintype (Process)

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 3.375 in
Width: 2.4375 in

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    Tintype photographs could be produced in a matter of minutes at a price most people could afford. Introduced in 1856, tintypes democratized photography--capturing unique glimpses of how everyday Americans looked and lived. Many people posed wearing their best outfits. Others sat for the photographer in their work clothes, holding objects that reflected their occupations. Work gave meaning to people's lives--it was part of one’s personal identity.