Bobby Mathews tintype (1888 uniform)

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by TNcollect

The links have confirmed that this is a copy photo and dates from the same time period as the other "Vermont finds".

According to the auction links, these photos are believed to be from 1902- 1920 from the photographer information that came in the grouping. This tintype is a contemporary of those photos.

Why some copies were done as tintypes vs. paper prints is not known.

I would think that the tintype has a value comparable to the paper images made in the early 20th century.

Scott

Based on the image provided in this thread, I don't think 1902-1920 is accurate.

[TNcollect]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Based on the image provided in this thread, I don't think 1902-1920 is accurate.

What do you think and why?

Scott

[Runscott]

It doesn't have wear consistent with that period. Tintypes were rare, but still being made in the early 1900's - you can find plenty of them on ebay. Check the back images - none of them look like this one.

[TNcollect]

Originally Posted by Runscott

It doesn't have wear consistent with that period. Tintypes were rare, but still being made in the early 1900's - you can find plenty of them on ebay. Check the back images - none of them look like this one.

Thanks.

Actual photo has wear on the front and discoloration blots consistent with age.

I handle thousands of antique tintypes each year and didn't have concerns with the back or wear (it is not pristine).

The non mirror appearance along with the white at the top/ edge were my concerns.

Two antique photo dealers have looked at the these jpg images as well. One thought it looked good and the other wasn't sure and wanted to see it in person.

I have some folks who are going to look at it in person this weekend.

Scott

[Runscott]

My initial impression was based on the back - looks slightly pitted, and not as dark as all the ones I've seen. But it's hard to tell from a scan.

I thought it had been determined that the Vermont stuff was much more modern than 1902-20. It doesn't make sense to me that someone would have started forging tintypes and albumens during that period (1902-20), unless it was a hobbyist who was playing around with the old techniques. Not trying to be hostile or anything, as this doesn't affect me - just trying to give my opinion. I actually would probably prefer to find out that all of this stuff was legit.

[TNcollect]

Originally Posted by Runscott

My initial impression was based on the back - looks slightly pitted, and not as dark as all the ones I've seen. But it's hard to tell from a scan.

I thought it had been determined that the Vermont stuff was much more modern than 1902-20. It doesn't make sense to me that someone would have started forging tintypes and albumens during that period (1902-20), unless it was a hobbyist who was playing around with the old techniques. Not trying to be hostile or anything, as this doesn't affect me - just trying to give my opinion. I actually would probably prefer to find out that all of this stuff was legit.

No problem-- I wouldn't consider you or your comments hostile. It seems to me that there is a misunderstanding of what was determined about the "Vermont Find" and its actual age.

The link from post #9 (sgbernard) provides some information on the photos and the era of their production:

http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/...25.html#photos

Go to a few previous items and you will find the auction houses assesment on the Vermont Find. To summarize (how I READ IT): they (Robert Edward Auctions) felt that the photos of the Vermont Find were NOT from 1888. For this reason, they thought that an earlier auction resulted in unsupportable HIGH results.

Photographic documentation (paperwork and envelopes) from the lot were traced to a NY photographer who was in business, at an address on some of the paperwork, from 1902 until the late teens.

It was the feeling of RE Auctions and their consulted antique photograph experts that the items were from the 1902- early teens time period and SECOND GENERATION, although made from the original negatives.

I don't recall an explanation of the "WHY" they were made.

The auction results were in the range of about $1000/ image (lots with multiple images in one lot were divided to get a per image result BY ME).

From my conversations with the person who made the "Vermont Find", I believe that these were used for some sort of advertisement or display purposes in the early 20th century that the photographer (Wendel) was producing.

Of course the original glass plate negatives are out there (not sure where they ended up) and they could be used to produce additional images.

This tintype was purchased from the person who made the original "Vermont Find" and was one of a few photos that he didn't sell.

Scott

[TNcollect]

The above comment was based on my research and the research of RE Auctions in 2005.

If there has been any additional research or contradictory documentation on the "Vermont Find" in the intervening years-- I have not seen that evidence, but of course would be open to hear of it.

Thanks again for all the insight, thoughts and links provided by posters on this site.

Scott