Can you help me date this photo

[Wendl]

Hi there,

Hoping someone may be able to help me date this photo...this is a tiny photo on a piece of tin, placed in a small metal circular base, that is covered with a glass cylinder that has a mini magnifying glass atop.  The photo is approximately 1" x 1"...

Thanks a bunch...
Wendy

[PrueM]

Hi Wendy,
It's a tintype (also called ferrotype) and the little frame is called a Pinchbeck (named after the inventor of that soft, thin metal).
The lady is - shall we say - mature, so may be hanging onto an outdated fashion, but I think that the fact she is wearing a bonnet and a collar like that, she must have had her photo taken in the 1860s, or 70s at the latest.
It will be interesting to see what the real fashion officianados think, though - I'm just an amateur at this game 
 Prue

[Wendl]

Hi Prue,

Thank you for taking the time to respond, according to what I was told as a young girl, this would be my grt grt grt grandmother, Margaret Fuller Pease and believe the photo was either taken in New York, or Pennsylvania according to my research to date.  Once again thankyou for taking the time to respond...sincerley appreciate it!!!

All the Best
Wendy