J. Cosmas Vintage Photography, Tintypes Page 4

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TINTYPES / PAGE FOUR

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TT104-4	Slightly over-sized 1/6 plate tintype of a couple. I would bet anything that they're newly arrived from the "old country". Note their very formal side by side pose, and the dignified way that they both look directly into the camera. Note also the great details. The crude red tinting to the edge of his sweater, the touch of white at the collars, a smudge of gold at their necks, plus a gold "band" on each hand. But what do you think happened to the rest of his luxurious mustache? Image somewhat dulled, but still very nice. $25.00
TT77-4	1/6 plate tintype studio portrait of two pretty young girls sitting on a sofa and stool. There's beautiful clarity and detail in this image with various tassles and ruffles and bows. Each girl has a touch of pink tinting to their cheeks. Very minor surface wear, else in fine condtion. $18.00
TT105-4	3/4 plate (7"h x 5"w) tintype of a young couple posing in a photography studio. There's great toning and clarity in this image, with a very faint hint of pink tinting to their cheeks, and stronger blue and pink tinting to the bow at the woman's neck. Obviously once housed behind an oval mat, it has some surface marks, in addition to a bend to the upper right corner. $32.00
TT151-4	1/9 plate tintype portrait of a young man housed in a blind stamped cream paper sleeve. Beautiful clarity and grey-brown toning in this as-new image. Backmark of "A.E. Alden's, Providence, RI ". $15.00
TT80-4	Slightly trimmed 1/4 plate full length portrait tintype of an identified young man in a three piece suit (but no tie!) and tophat, posing amidst a "rocky" setting in a photographer's studio. Etched on the back of the plate is; "Jim Pidd / On The Boom". It's hard to say with certainty what "On The Boom" refers to. There are various explanations in the late 19th century from mining to railroading, but as the origin of this image is also Saginaw, Michigan, it can very well be a reference to the logging term. There's a touch of gilt added to his watch chain and the pinkie ring on his left hand. Some minor surface wear, else in near fine condition with good contrast. $45.00
TT153-4	Terrific whole plate tintype of a cabinet card-sized portrait of a young, dark eyed woman. Note how the original image hasn't actually been nailed to the crude board wall, but how it's been positioned between the nails, and also note the shadows cast by these nails. We'll never know if this is where the image actually "hung", or if the photographer took advantage of a sunny wall and placed it there temporarily. There's a touch of gilt to her earring and brooch. In clean, near fine condition. Very special. $95.00
TT82-4	Slightly-larger-than 1/6 plate full length tintype portrait of an identified young lumberjack. Written beneath it in pencil in the album it came in, and also etched on the back of the plate is; "William W(albridge) Curry". Saginaw, Michigan records show that he was born in Ontario, but lived his entire life (1853-1932) in that city. Technically this is not an "occupational", as he's not posing with the classic lumberjack tools such as an axe or peavey. However, there's no doubt that his hat, suspenders, shirt, heavy boots and, above all, the red sash of the "voyageur" appropriated by the lumberjacks, mark him as one. As this was the era of the great Michigan logging boom, many young men would spend a season or two in the woods. It looks as if the moulding of the "wall" behind him doesn't meet the carpet. Perhaps this photo was taken by an itinerant photographer traveling from one logging camp to another? And what a terrific photo it is, with his confident pose and the jaunty angle of his hat. Touch of red tinting to the cheeks and sash. There's an obvious bend to the upper right corner, but otherwise in near fine, very clean condition. Very special. $125.00 SOLD
TT83-4	Gorgeous 1/6 plate tintype portrait of two women posing in a photographer's studio. Very hard to say whether they might be related or not. The lighting in this image is particularly striking as the subjects seem almost to glow, and notice how finely detailed their dresses are. A few light surface scratches, else in fine condition. $18.00
TT121-4	Narrow trimmed 1/4 plate tintype portrait of a lovely, dark eyed girl with very long tresses. Corners of plate clipped, with some dulling to periphery of image. In addition, there is a small patch of white residue to verso of plate. Else, clean with good, strong contrast. $20.00
TT85-4	Pair of oval tintype portraits of the same woman, each housed in a paper sleeve. Though not what one would call a beauty, she seems very confident of her fashion sense and feminine allure. But it's a wonder that she can breathe, so tightly cinched is she at both the waist and neck! One sleeve labeled on recto; "Harmany's Gallery, Lancaster, PA", the other unmarked. Sleeves soiled with bumped corners, else both images clean and sharp. $22.00, the pair.
TT128-4	1/9 plate tintype of an elderly Amish or Quaker woman plainly dressed with her pinned shawl. Housed in a blind stamped cream colored sleeve. Image on the dark side with some light soiling to sleeve. Else in fine condition. $25.00
TT122-4	1/6 plate tintype of a heavily bearded man posing in a studio. I love the painted backdrop in this image. In fine, clean condition with excellent contrast. $18.00
TT88-4	This 1/9 plate, studio portrait tintype of a lean-faced woman, just makes me think of a character right out of a Dickens novel. I like her clear gaze, her choker tied with a ribbon, and her drop earrings. Even the rather clumsily-applied tinting to her face has charm. Set into an oval blind stamped cream paper sleeve. No backmark. In as-new condition. $18.00
TT89-4	1/9 plate tintype portrait of a woman housed in a blind stamped cream colored paper sleeve. I believe that this could be a mourning portrait, with her all-black attire and the heavy black ribbon descending from her hat. Note the strand of pearls resting on her collar. But what is so remarkable about this tintype is it's gorgeous soft gray luminosity. It's almost as if it's on porcelain. And then there's a brush of pink tinting to her cheeks, lips and the flowers on her hat. No backmark. In fine, clean condition. $18.00
TT90-4	Narrow 1/6 plate tintype full length portrait of an old man leaning on his cane in a photographer's studio. With his slightly crooked stance, his sunken face and his bony hands, this fellow is the epitome of the description "gnarled". Housed in a blind stamped cream colored paper sleeve. No backmark. In near fine condition. $22.00
TT138-4	Tintype portrait of an elegantly dressed young woman posing in a hat decorated with beads and a feather, a short coat and a fur muff. I love the glossy frame of the chair behind her and the blank wall. Housed in a cream colored blind stamped CDV-sized paper sleeve. Backmark of "A. E. Alden's, Providence, RI". Exceptional contrast and toning. In fine, clean condition. $25.00
TT92-4	Framed gem tintype of a bearded Civil War Soldier mounted to a CDV-sized card. No backmark. Light soiling to mount, else fine. $25.00
TT93-4	1/9 plate tintype portrait of a woman housed in a blind stamped cream colored paper sleeve. This is an excellent example of a beautifully done "product". The image itself has this lovely sepia toning and depth to it, with the barest hint of a pink tint to the cheeks, and remarkable detail. And although one might not neccessarily buy a tintype just for it's sleeve, note the quality of this one, with it's gilt ruled edges and the depth and crispness of the elaborate blind stamping. It must surely have been a very satisfying experience to enter a photographer's studio for your portrait, and leave with an end product as lovely as this. Backmark of "A. E. Alden' s, Springfield, MA". In fine condition. $15.00
TT94-4	Here's a charming, narrow-trimmed 1/6 plate tintype of a father and his very endearing young son. Note how the boy leans against his dad with his feet crossed, the slightly unfurled umbrella held by the father, and the painted "river view" backdrop with the steamer trailing smoke. Touch of surface wear, else near fine condition. $22.00
TT95-4	Terrific narrow-trimmed 1/4 plate tintype of a musician posing with his alto horn. Not used in an orchestral setting, the alto horn was commonly used in marching and brass bands. There's the faintest blush of tinting to the man's cheeks. Very mild surface wear to image. Else, bright and clean with excellent contrast. $75.00
TT130-4	1/9 plate tintype portrait of a young woman housed in a blind stamped cream paper sleeve. This is an excellent example of a common tintype. The sitter has been expertly posed by the photographer, and the image itself fits perfectly within its sleeve. In addition, there's her beautifully tailored dress and the terrific deep and clear contrast of the image itself. $15.00
TT97-4	1/6 plate full length portrait tintype of a young man leaning jauntily on a chair. There's a real "Western" feel to this image, although where it was actually taken is impossible to say. Perhaps it's the style hat that he's holding in his hand, and the shirt that he's wearing. In any case, there are some great details. Note the sleeve garters that he's pinned vertically to his sleeves. And the cigar butt held in a deeply tanned hand. Plus the way his hair is parted on his head, and that blanket pinned up behind him. It's very likely that this is the work of an itinerant photographer setting up his studio in a temporary space. Two corners clipped with some very minor surface wear. Else, near fine condition. $50.00 SOLD
TT98-4	1/6 plate tintype of a young couple posing in front of a painted backdrop. They both look very relaxed, most likely stepping into the studio on a rainy day, as they both have umbrellas. Lower left corner clipped with some very light surface wear. Else, bright and clean with strong contrast. $18.00
TT99-4	Unevenly trimmed 1/4 plate tintype of a very endearing baby girl sitting in a glossy wicker carriage. Note the look she's giving the photographer, and the beautiful blue tint to her little scalloped sweater. I particularly like the way that she's "framed", with all that empty space around her. Some rubbing to surface, especially bottom quarter. Else, near fine. $30.00
TT136-4	I particularly like this gem sized tintype of a handsome, dark-eyed young fellow with his hat tipped back. In a brass frame and mounted to a CDV-sized card. Fine condition. $15.00