A LATE 1800's - EARLY 1900'S PRINT ON GLASS?

I went through my aunt's trunk in the attic and found a bunch of old
pics. One in particular was approximately about 3 inches long and
about 2 1/2 inches wide. But it wasn't on paper. It looks like it's
glass! It's in a very fragile state, so I didn't handle it too much.
Wrapped around the edges to frame the photo, was a gold aluminum-like
material. This material was very soft. The photo is of an 18th
century woman with a big hat. The shot is from the bust up, and she's
wearing a real old fashioned dress. I can tell it's the kind you see
in movies where it goes down to the floor and has a big bussle in the
back.
I'm very curious to know how this photo was taken. Did they actually
use glass back then? If anyone knows I'd really appreciate your help.
Just curious!
Thank you,
Helen

wrote:
I went through my aunt's trunk in the attic and found a bunch of old
pics. One in particular was approximately about 3 inches long and
about 2 1/2 inches wide. But it wasn't on paper. It looks like it's
glass! It's in a very fragile state, so I didn't handle it too much.
Wrapped around the edges to frame the photo, was a gold aluminum-like
material.

That sounds like a lantern slide except for the size.
Standard sizes we
3 1/4" x 3 1/4" (UK)
3 1/4 x 4" (US)
8.5 x 10 cm (continental Europe)

If it matches one of those sizes the probability that
it was a slide for projection goes way up.

Glass lantern slides were popular from the dawn of time
until Kodachrome slides took over.

I'm very curious to know how this photo was taken. Did they actually
use glass back then? If anyone knows I'd really appreciate your help.
Just curious!

Plates for both glass negatives and positives were readily
available until very recently, and were popular in some
parts of the world up until the 1950s or 60s.

The last big use of lantern plates in the 3 1/4 x 4 inch
size was for electron microscopes. Kodak still makes film
in that size for that purpose. A lantern plate is a glass
plate coated with an emulsion similar to photographic paper.
The can be printed by contact or printed with an enlarger.

Peter.
--

Peter Irwin wrote:
wrote:
I went through my aunt's trunk in the attic and found a bunch of old
pics. One in particular was approximately about 3 inches long and
about 2 1/2 inches wide. But it wasn't on paper. It looks like it's
glass! It's in a very fragile state, so I didn't handle it too much.
Wrapped around the edges to frame the photo, was a gold aluminum-like
material.

That sounds like a lantern slide except for the size.
Standard sizes we
3 1/4" x 3 1/4" (UK)
3 1/4 x 4" (US)
8.5 x 10 cm (continental Europe)

If it matches one of those sizes the probability that
it was a slide for projection goes way up.

Glass lantern slides were popular from the dawn of time
until Kodachrome slides took over.

I'm very curious to know how this photo was taken. Did they actually
use glass back then? If anyone knows I'd really appreciate your help.
Just curious!

Plates for both glass negatives and positives were readily
available until very recently, and were popular in some
parts of the world up until the 1950s or 60s.

The last big use of lantern plates in the 3 1/4 x 4 inch
size was for electron microscopes. Kodak still makes film
in that size for that purpose. A lantern plate is a glass
plate coated with an emulsion similar to photographic paper.
The can be printed by contact or printed with an enlarger.

Peter.
--



Thanks Peter for that very imformative reply. I thought it was glass,
but didn't want to make an assumption unless I was absolutely sure.
Even for it's age, it's very sharp and clear. Maybe because of it's
size, but I've seen b&w slides that couldn't compare to this
masterpiece. I'll have to find my tape measure and see what the exact
measurements are.
Wow, have we ever come a long way baby!
Thanks,
Helen

wrote in message
oups.com...
I went through my aunt's trunk in the attic and found a bunch of old
pics. One in particular was approximately about 3 inches long and
about 2 1/2 inches wide. But it wasn't on paper. It looks like it's
glass! It's in a very fragile state, so I didn't handle it too much.
Wrapped around the edges to frame the photo, was a gold aluminum-like
material. This material was very soft. The photo is of an 18th
century woman with a big hat. The shot is from the bust up, and she's
wearing a real old fashioned dress. I can tell it's the kind you see
in movies where it goes down to the floor and has a big bussle in the
back.
I'm very curious to know how this photo was taken. Did they actually
use glass back then? If anyone knows I'd really appreciate your help.
Just curious!
Thank you,
Helen

Check this out:
http://www.aspenhistory.org/poe.html

William Graham wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
I went through my aunt's trunk in the attic and found a bunch of old
pics. One in particular was approximately about 3 inches long and
about 2 1/2 inches wide. But it wasn't on paper. It looks like it's
glass! It's in a very fragile state, so I didn't handle it too much.
Wrapped around the edges to frame the photo, was a gold aluminum-like
material. This material was very soft. The photo is of an 18th
century woman with a big hat. The shot is from the bust up, and she's
wearing a real old fashioned dress. I can tell it's the kind you see
in movies where it goes down to the floor and has a big bussle in the
back.
I'm very curious to know how this photo was taken. Did they actually
use glass back then? If anyone knows I'd really appreciate your help.
Just curious!
Thank you,
Helen

Check this out:
http://www.aspenhistory.org/poe.html


Yes! That's exactly what it is. Thanks Bill for that very informative
link. The trouble these guys went through to get a nice pic! They
were certainly dedicated, and thanks to them, we can now appreciate the
hard work they went through and take a glimpse into our past.
Helen

Thanks Peter for that very imformative reply. I thought it was glass,
but didn't want to make an assumption unless I was absolutely sure.
Even for it's age, it's very sharp and clear. Helen
************************************************** ****
Helen: In those days cameras were view cameras. The focusing was done on a
frosted plate glass so it was similar to a SLR today. Ofcourse view cameras
are still made and used. Ric in Wisconsin.

Ric Trexell wrote:
Thanks Peter for that very imformative reply. I thought it was glass,
but didn't want to make an assumption unless I was absolutely sure.
Even for it's age, it's very sharp and clear. Helen
************************************************** ****
Helen: In those days cameras were view cameras. The focusing was done on a
frosted plate glass so it was similar to a SLR today. Ofcourse view cameras
are still made and used. Ric in Wisconsin.


I am well aware view cameras are still being used today. They are
amazing. I had the pleasure to use one, a Linhoff. Heavy and
cumbersome, but worth every minute I spent with it. Would use it again
in a heartbeat! I was just wondering whether glass was used during
that era. Thanks to everyone for your great info.
Helen

wrote:

I'm very curious to know how this photo was taken. Did they actually
use glass back then?

Several years ago, I had access to over 1,500, 8"x10" glass plate negatives
chronicling the construction of the first hydroelectric generating plant on
the Canadian side of the Niagara River at Niagara Falls. It was known as
the Rankine Generating Station. I used the opportunity to scan all of the
plates and I still have digital copies of the images. The collection was
later donated to the Canadian Archives. The dates of the photo were written
on most of the plates. Here is a 2481 x 2000 pixel copy of the image taken
from plate #720, photographed on August 26, 1904:
http://www.JustPhotos.ca/misc/images/Cnp0720.jpg

Mardon wrote:
wrote:

I'm very curious to know how this photo was taken. Did they actually
use glass back then?

Several years ago, I had access to over 1,500, 8"x10" glass plate negatives
chronicling the construction of the first hydroelectric generating plant on
the Canadian side of the Niagara River at Niagara Falls. It was known as
the Rankine Generating Station. I used the opportunity to scan all of the
plates and I still have digital copies of the images. The collection was
later donated to the Canadian Archives. The dates of the photo were written
on most of the plates. Here is a 2481 x 2000 pixel copy of the image taken
from plate #720, photographed on August 26, 1904:
http://www.JustPhotos.ca/misc/images/Cnp0720.jpg


That is an amazing photo! I commend you for contributing them to the
Canadian Archives. It's fascinating how photography has evolved over
the years! Thank you very much for that Mardon!
Regards,
Helen

wrote:

That is an amazing photo! I commend you for contributing them to the
Canadian Archives. It's fascinating how photography has evolved over
the years! Thank you very much for that Mardon!
Regards,
Helen

Thank you. I'm gald that they're now safe with the National Archives too.
Here's another peek at one. It's plate #81, taken March 6, 1902.
http://www.JustPhotos.ca/misc/images/Cnp0081.jpg