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Author Topic: Ambrotype Ayr8  (Read 2070 times)
GKE
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Ambrotype Ayr8
« on: Sunday 10 October 10 22:33 BST (UK) »

This picture was very dark unfortunately.


* ayr008.jpg (154.14 KB, 992x991 - viewed 541 times.)
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jim1
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ain't life grand


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Re: Ambrotype Ayr8
« Reply #1 on: Sunday 10 October 10 23:00 BST (UK) »

The V shaped bodice was popular throughout the 1850's but her hairstyle suggests mid - late.

jim
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Warks:Ashford;Cadby;Clarke;Clifford;Cooke Copage;Easthope;
Edmonds;Felton;Colledge;Lutwyche;Mander(s);May;Poole;Withers.
Staffs.Edmonds;Addison;Duffield;Webb;Fisher;Archer
Leics.Cooper;Preston
Notts.Clarke;Redfearne;Treece.
Som.May;Perriman;Cox
India Kane;Felton;Cadby
London.Haysom;Easthope
Lancs.Gay.
Worcs.Coley;Mander;Sawyer.
Census information is Crown copyright,from
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
PrueM
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Re: Ambrotype Ayr8
« Reply #2 on: Sunday 10 October 10 23:50 BST (UK) »

I wonder if the darker ones (you have another one or two) are on ruby or dark glass?  Probably no way of telling without pulling the image package apart which I wouldn't recommend because they are in such good condition.  But it could explain why some are so indistinct while most of the others are beautifully clear.
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Paper and Photograph Conservator
I live in NSW, and am researching:
BALFOUR (Derry) – BIGG (Kent) – BONSALL (DBY, NTT, CHS) – BRISBANE (Fife) – DANKS (STS) – DOBSON (BRK) – FRANCIS (ESS) – GOODE (HAM) – HAYNES (Cork) – INGRAM (MDX, SOM) – LANGWORTHY (Jersey, DEV) – MCKAY (Fife, Aberdeen, Banff, Moray) – MORRISH (LND) – NANCARROW (CON) – OGILVIE (Moray, LND) – STRATHDEE (LND, Banff) - SWAN (Fife)
Census info Crown Copyright nationalarchives.gov.uk
jim1
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Re: Ambrotype Ayr8
« Reply #3 on: Sunday 10 October 10 23:59 BST (UK) »

Why ruby glass Prue?does it bring out the tinting better?

jim
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Warks:Ashford;Cadby;Clarke;Clifford;Cooke Copage;Easthope;
Edmonds;Felton;Colledge;Lutwyche;Mander(s);May;Poole;Withers.
Staffs.Edmonds;Addison;Duffield;Webb;Fisher;Archer
Leics.Cooper;Preston
Notts.Clarke;Redfearne;Treece.
Som.May;Perriman;Cox
India Kane;Felton;Cadby
London.Haysom;Easthope
Lancs.Gay.
Worcs.Coley;Mander;Sawyer.
Census information is Crown copyright,from
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
PrueM
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Re: Ambrotype Ayr8
« Reply #4 on: Monday 11 October 10 00:05 BST (UK) »

I don't know why they used it, possibly it was thought that it served the purpose of being a dark backing as well as a support for the photo (i.e. they didn't then have to paint on a black backing or put in a black backing card/cloth).  In reality, because Ambrotypes are basically just very weak negatives, the darkness of the glass just makes them harder to see.  I'm sure there's some physics to explain why, but I ain't a physicist  Grin

I have seen a few of them, so they were not uncommon, but certainly not as common as the 'normal' glass ones.

Added:  an interesting (to me, anyway!) technical study here:  http://lisaduncanllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/duncan_technical_study_ambrotype1.pdf

Quote
The making of ambrotypes upon a colored glass support started about 1854 in
England, and 1856 in America. In reviewing the American published Humphrey’s
Journal, H. Draper submitted the earliest entry describing the use of colored glass
for ambrotypes on October 1, 1856. The dark glass dually provided a support for
the image and a dark backing.
Anthony’s Invention and Improvement catalog from 1857 heralded the sale of
colored glass by stating, “the colored glass meets a want that has been long felt by
Ambrotypists. Made expressly for this purpose at the request of some of the most
eminent Ambrotypists.”
Today ambrotypes on a colored glass are referred to as Ruby ambrotypes or
ambrotypes on Bohemia glass. When viewing a ruby ambrotype in transmitted
light, the colored glass is evident. Most often the color of the glass was reddish to
purplish-black in color but there are known samples on green, amber or blue glass.
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Paper and Photograph Conservator
I live in NSW, and am researching:
BALFOUR (Derry) – BIGG (Kent) – BONSALL (DBY, NTT, CHS) – BRISBANE (Fife) – DANKS (STS) – DOBSON (BRK) – FRANCIS (ESS) – GOODE (HAM) – HAYNES (Cork) – INGRAM (MDX, SOM) – LANGWORTHY (Jersey, DEV) – MCKAY (Fife, Aberdeen, Banff, Moray) – MORRISH (LND) – NANCARROW (CON) – OGILVIE (Moray, LND) – STRATHDEE (LND, Banff) - SWAN (Fife)
Census info Crown Copyright nationalarchives.gov.uk
chinakay
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Re: Ambrotype Ayr8
« Reply #5 on: Monday 11 October 10 05:24 BST (UK) »

How very, very interesting, Prue!
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Moore/Paterson~Montreal
Moore/Addison~New Brunswick
Jubb/Kerr~Mirfield~Halifax~Moffatt
Williams~Dolwyddelan

King~Bedfordshire~Hull
Jenkins~Somerset
Sellers~Hull
GKE
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Re: Ambrotype Ayr8
« Reply #6 on: Tuesday 12 October 10 17:24 BST (UK) »

As the photo and case are in such good condition I agree that pulling it apart is not recommended. Thank you Prue for all the information, very interesting to read.
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artistic
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Re: Ambrotype Ayr8
« Reply #7 on: Sunday 24 October 10 12:04 BST (UK) »

Hi, I couldn't help myself from attempting an improvement on the photo. Someone may want to retouch more and/or colourise it Smiley


* 2bbeukjm.jpg (281.48 KB, 688x875 - viewed 405 times.)
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IgorStrav
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Arthur Pay 1915-2002 "handsome bu**er"


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Re: Ambrotype Ayr8
« Reply #8 on: Sunday 24 October 10 17:24 BST (UK) »

Gosh, well done Artistic, that's a great improvement.  Welcome to Rootschat!  Grin

These pictures from GKE are remarkable, aren't they.
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Pay, Kent.  Barham, Kent.  Cork(e), Kent.  Cooley, Kent. Barwell, Rutland/Northants/Greenwich. Cotterill, Derbys. Van Steenhoven, Belgium/East London. Burton, East London. Wade, Greenwich/Brightlingsea, Essex.
GKE
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Re: Ambrotype Ayr8
« Reply #9 on: Sunday 24 October 10 21:01 BST (UK) »

Thank you very much for working on this photo Artistic! Great job.  Igor, I love your enthusiasm for these family photos!

Gail
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