Evan's find...

[Nugget Shooter]

here is a metal picture I found along with the 37mm shell. It appears to be a soldier..not sure. Anyone know what this metal picture may be?

[Au Seeker]

Bill,

The only thing I can think of it being is a "Tintype" there're other names for this process, such as Ferrotype, but tintype is the most common name, but that would depend on how old it is and maybe the era of the "soldier", Tintype photography was used from the mid 1850s and as late as the early 1940s, but most were from the last half of the 1800s.

http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/1_early/1_early_photography_-_processes_-_tintype.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tintype

http://www.phototree.com/ID_Tin.htm

http://www.collectorsweekly.com/photographs/tintypes

Skip

[Patrick in Havasu]

I have no idea Bill, but if there is any type of ID on it, it would be super to hook up with the soldier or his family.

Patrick.....

[Bucket]

Maybe if you looked at it under a magnifying glass you might be able to tell with more detail what he's wearing thus giving an idea of the date, looks like a button up shirt or military jacket. All in all one of the coolest things I've ever heard of someone finding, and since they are getting something like fifteen hundred bucks for an old saw blade on the American Diggers show...I figure that should bring in a few "large"

Very...very cool find nonetheless Billy

[woodsy]

Obviously, you have a better view of the image than we do, but my wife and I think it looks like a woman. Appears to be long hair with ringlets on the side of the head. Let us know what you find out. It's a really neat find.

[SGTFDA]

Bill it looks like a grave stone photo. Most were oval like that If it was a tin type photo it would be on a thin tin sheet. The fade over time in the light.

[garimpo]

Bill if the jacket buttons in the front and that's a hat he's wearing then it could be the pic of a WW1 soldier....I ran it in my

photo shop and couldn't get any more details....good find....is there any markings of graves in the area where you found it?

[Hoser John]

Great find Bill and many thanx for posting a pic,sooooo cool-tons a au 2 u 2 -John

[El Dorado]

That is an amazing find for sure. Can't wait to see the rest of the story

[frank c]

Hey Bill I wonder if theres a simple process that you could do yourself to enhance whats left of the photo-transfer on the tin ???

Have to research the process for developments on that old style photo.

[Goldfinger]

My first thought when I saw the picture was Amelia Earhart. Probably much older then that. Very interesting find and hope someone can identify it.

Steve

[Au Seeker]

There are many photo restoration businesses that can do amazing things now-a-days, check out this site, click on "samples" and go to the seventh page, second photo down on that page, if they can restore that photo then one of these photo restorers should be able to should be able to get a much clearer image of your metal photo which would help to maybe tell the story of the individual in the photo.

http://www.amerphoto...m/APRcart3.html

You should be able to find a restorer in your area to do the job, but not all are created equal and can do the same quality of work.

The one linked above appears to be located in L.A.

With technology now, most of the restorers can do the work of restoration with a good quality uploaded photo from you to them.

Skip

[Rimshot]

Bill I think the photo is a form of photogravure. The process dates back to the 1830's. They take an image and actually etch it onto a copper plate. So at least you have an an approximate starting date as to how old this might be. Are any of family members still around where this came from? If so, maybe some of the older ones will remember it.

Rim

PS- I think it's copper because of the green specks all over the plate.

Edit:

Found something else of interest Bill.

"Brown Period 1870 - 1885. In 1870 the Phoenix Plate Co. began making plates with a chocolate-tinted surface. They created a sensation among the photographers throughout the country, and the pictures made on the chocolate-tinted surface soon became the rage. During this period "rustic" photography also made its debut with its painted backgrounds, fake stones, wood fences and rural props. Neither the chocolate tint nor the rustic look are to be found in pre 1870 tintypes."

http://www.billblanton.com/date.htm

And here is another good link which actually shows various styles.

http://www.sharlot.o.../chapter_7.html

[Red_desert]

I worked on the image, 2 versions, just take your pick. Looks like a face to me.

[Nugget Shooter]

That find is really cool and now I see a little girl? But my brain is adding the colors that do not belong from oxidation... Cool work on the photo RD

[Ed in SoDak]

Daguerrotype is another early process that used a thick plate. "A photograph taken by an early photographic process employing an iodine-sensitized silvered plate and mercury vapor" says my dictionary. If viewed from the right angle, the image is seen as a positive.

I just inverted Red-desert's lightened version and got this.

-Ed

[Rimshot]

Daguerrotype is another early process that used a thick plate. "A photograph taken by an early photographic process employing an iodine-sensitized silvered plate and mercury vapor" says my dictionary. If viewed from the right angle, the image is seen as a positive.

I just inverted Red-desert's lightened version and got this.

-Ed

Good idea Ed! I went ahead and inverted Bill's original which looks pretty much like yours.

Rim

[Bucket]

WOW ! this gets more and more amazing...great job Ed and Rim :wubu:

[garimpo]

I know it's dangerous but I agree with Bucket...

[Red_desert]

Yes, inverting the image brings out details in another way. Learned how to do this while working on some photos sent me of Nazi carved tree signs in Europe. You can do same type of photo editing for your Spanish signs/markers.