Tintypes, originally known as or ferrotypes or melainotypes, were invented in the 1850s and continued to be produced into the 20th century.
The photographic emulsion was applied directly to a thin sheet of iron coated with a dark lacquer or enamel, which produced a unique positive image. Like the ambrotype, tintypes were often hand-colored. Customers purchased cases, frames, or paper envelopes to protect and display their images.
Tintypes and ambrotypes found in cases and frames can be difficult to identify.
A magnet will be attracted to the iron support, but if a sheet of metal is used behind an ambrotype, one could be fooled into thinking that the image is a tintype.
A hand-coloured Ambrotype Tintype and Daguerrotype portrait of a woman, taken by an unknown photographer in about 1845. The colour has been rather liberally applied to her cheeks, making her look as if she is blushing.
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An ambrotype is comprised of an underexposed glass negative placed against a dark background.
The dark backing material creates a positive image. Photographers often applied pigments to the surface of the plate to add color, often tinting cheeks and lips red and adding gold highlights to jewelry, buttons, and belt buckles.
Ambrotypes were sold in either cases or ornate frames to provide an attractive product and also to protect the negative with a cover glass and brass mat.
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