Online Photograph Guide

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Posted By: davidcycleback

Lengthy guide for identifying, authenticating and understanding photos 1800s to present. It will have more images, details, editing as time goes by.

http://www.cycleback.com/photoguide/

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Posted By: Joe_G.

I frequent your website, one stop shopping for learning the finer points of understanding and dating photography.

Best Regards,
Joe Gonsowski

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Posted By: edacra

Just wanted to add a thank you for sharing your expertise. I've already found myself using your site as a reference.

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Posted By: steve f

David, nice addition to the site, as usual. I have an old Abe Lincoln cabinet. It may be difficult... Would you be able to approximate the date please?

I'm sure it's origin isn't while he was alive, but can't get any opinions from the Lincoln Library in Springfield Ill.

*Also, it has four verticle adhesive marks where there was a possible cardboard easle attached at one time. From your descriptions, it may be after 1880.

It's difficult to see I know; "Pittman, Springfield Illinois"

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Posted By: John S

David,

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

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Posted By: Joe D.

I am bookmarking the site.

Thank you!

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Posted By: davidcycleback

The Lincoln cabinet is from the 1880s, 1890s at the latest. There are a number of 1870s-80s cabinets that pictured Lincoln. In fact, there is a highly desirable 1880s Lincoln tobacco cabinet, Old Judge-style.

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Posted By: robert a

Thank you David.

Also, appreciate the small book you wrote on identifying early photographs.

It's been a great help.

Robert

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Posted By: steve f

The Abe,

I was hoping for earlier, of course. But it's a rarity just the same and hope this remains in the family for many years. On the rear of the new frame, I will write your summation and yesterdays date, when I can find an old fountain pen.

Many appreciate your humble way, knowledge and valuable work here.

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Posted By: davidcycleback

The photo is an antique from the 19th century, and I've seem similar type photos of Lincoln or Robert E. Lee sell well.

I've seen real expensive photos where it was not possible to pinpoint when it was made, but since the collector was assured that it was 19th century he was satified and purchased. For collectors of these types of photos, 19th century is the magic number. It's not unlike the desirability of the 1933 Goudey Tris Speaker: Speaker was retired but the card itself is Pre-War. So you can tell visitors to your home that it's a genine 19th century photo of Lincoln, which, of course, it is.

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Posted By: barrysloate

David- great to see you are sharing a lifetime of research with the collecting community. Lincoln died before cabinet photos appeared, but there are wonderful contemporary images of him on CdV's and display photos. But because of his monumental stature, much has been reprinted.