Ambrotype Ayr8

[GKE]

This picture was very dark unfortunately.

[jim1]

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

jim

[PrueM]

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.

[jim1]

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

jim

[PrueM]

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 

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

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.

[chinakay]

How very, very interesting, Prue!

[GKE]

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.

[artistic]

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

[IgorStrav]

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

These pictures from GKE are remarkable, aren't they.