Antique Way

Collecting Antique Photographs

It is often difficult to understand why someone would give away, or sell, their family photographs, and at times, harder yet to understand why someone else would buy old photos of people they never knew. The people who collect nineteenth century photographs are as diverse as the images themselves. ¡°One man¡¯s junk is another man¡¯s treasure¡± is an adage that surfaces in all fields of collectibles, and antique photography is not immune.

It is important to remember that old photographs are sold both as antiques and art. Rare pictures almost always fits into the latter category, and more common images into the former. Knowing which is which requires some research.

However, many collectors are simply drawn to the subject matter ¨C children are especially popular subjects. Others love the connection they experience with people, places and events of the past. Some look at photographs with the eye of an artist, marveling at the effects and quality of the images given the bulky, rudimentary equipment and darkrooms of the past.

As in all fields of collecting, some individuals buy with an eye to investing, hoping to cash in on a field that has been gaining in popularity over the last thirty years. In this instance, it is extremely important that the collector understands all they can with regards to technique, equipment, subject matter, and famous photographers. The field is so broad that many serious collectors specialize in one type of photograph.

Tintype photographs record a moment frozen in time. Here you can see forgotten ancestors, each one a mute reminder of a personal story, a lifestyle, a history in the making, or a lost environment. These are the original platinum quotations, the artifacts that embody the sayings that have influenced our lives.

Sometimes antique photographs will even provide you with your only good source for data, such as information on World War 2 or even information dog breeds. We sometimes forget that our ancestors were just like us in many ways. Sometimes, small, barely visible clues can be detected in these rare and valuable photographs. Collect and sell those that are your special interest.

Eventually these collections of tintype photography will be donated to a local historical society or archived for all to see in coffee table books. The online auction is the best market to establish a value for your treasured photograph. First, click the link below to register for free. Then, to find that one outstanding specimen, bookmark this page and come back here often, as this is the quickest way to find the most current items up for auction.

Don't be surprised to discover a far more valuable relic than most people can appreciate. Lost photographs of wild west gunslingers, properly authenticated, such as the sample above, can be priceless. Look also for public domain photographs, plus unusual americana photographs including photographs of Babe Ruth, controversial history-related items such as lynching photographs, or the rare, unusual and equally-controversial ghost photographs.

Included in the subject are links and associations to figure photography (common with tintypes), glamour photography (virtually unheard of as far as tintypes are concerned), portrait photography, fine art photography (tintypes are art in themselves), history of photography, black and white photography, wedding photography, professional photography, photography tips, death photos or post mortem photos (about the closest you can get to autopsy photos in the tintype era), daguerreotype camera and daguerreotypes, photo gallery of tintypes and daguerreotypes.

Watch for any vintage photographs that are relaxed or casual, even funny photos, girl photos, or personality photos, as these will be considered rare and unusual. And don't forget to visit your local antique store and flea market and ask to see old photographs as there could be tintypes hidden away inside photo albums.

A person may choose to collect only early paper photographs. Cartes de visite translated as ¡°visiting cards¡± in French were very popular in their time. Due to the increasing popularity and lower cost of the technology of creating photographs, many people could now afford them. Cartes de visites were the ¡°poor man¡¯s portrait¡± and they were exchanged freely with friends and relatives . They also account for much of the antique photos available today, and they are extremely affordable. However this is not expected to continue as more and more collectors learn about this fascinating area of collecting.

Antique photographs may be collected by photographer. Knowledge of early photographers in general, and in your locality is necessary, and research is in order. Collectors also collect photographic equipment or photo related advertising. Others may collect all accessory forms of photographs such as photos on metal buttons, photo albums and frames.

As you can see, the collecting of photographs is anything but limited. A good book for the novice collector is ¡°The Collector¡¯s Guide to Early Photographs¡± by O. Henry Mace. Thus ¡°armed¡±, it is now time for you to seek out photographic treasures of your own.