Identifying and Dating American Photographs

Table of Contents

• Photohistory [Modified: February 26 2010]
• DATING THE OBJECTS AND PROCESSES
• Image Cases
• Wood Framed Case
• Union Case
• Mat
• Preserver [Modified: February 26 2010]
• Daguerreotype
• Ambrotype [Modified: February 26 2010]
• Tintype
• Paper Print Processes
• Calotype/Talbotype/Salt Print [Modified: February 26 2010]
• Albumen
• Carbon/Gum Bichromate
• Platinum
• Gelatin Silver
• Cyanotype
• Color Processes
• Intant Prints
• Printed Images/Half-Tone/Gravure/Photocopy
• Matted Prints
• Snapshots
• Digital Imagery
• Negatives
• Paper
• Wet Glass Plate
• Dry Glass Plate
• Paper backed Emulsion
• Nitrate Plastic
• Safety Plastic
• Positive Transparancy
• Hyalotype/Glass Slide
• Plastic Slide
• Stereoviews
• Postcards
• Miscellaneous
• Ivorytype
• Leather, Ceramic, etc. Photos
• Crayon, Watercolor, or Charcoal Enhanced Photos
• Tax Stamps [Modified: February 26 2010]
• Photo Albums
• DATING CARD MOUNTED PRINTS BY STYLE
• Carte-de-Visite [Modified: February 26 2010]
• Cabinet Card [Modified: February 26 2010]
• Stereo Cards
• Other Size Variants
• Card Thickness [Modified: April 20 2010]
• Card Corners
• Card Colors
• Card Edges
• Oval (Medallion) and Arch-Top Styles
• Embossed and Cameo Styles
• Front Side Lines, Frames and Geometric Designs
• Single Border Line
• Double Border Lines
• Dividing Line
• Frames
• Other Geometric Patterns and Designs
• Photographers Imprints
• Embossed Identification
• Front Imprints
• Back Imprints
• Plain Text
• Simple Straight Text
• Angled or Lengthwise Text
• Embellished Text
• Straight Text in Simple Circle or Box or Cartouche
• Straight Text with Lines
• Curved Text with lines or banners
• Fancy Script or Complex Fonts
• Graphic Design Elements
• Light Background Design
• NPA Logo
• Eagle Logos
• Artist's Palette
• Buckle Design
• Camera Logos
• Cherubs
• Liberty Logo
• Amaranth Leaves
• Banners
• Geometric Designs
• Monograms
• Coat of Arms or Shields
• Medals
• Egyptian or Oriental Motifs
• Plants
• Animals
• Transport: Ships, Wagons, Balloons
• Buildings
• Landscapes
• People
• Named Motifs
  • Bilateral Ovoid
  • Floral Bouquet over Picture Frame, with Camera and Palette with Banners
  • Roses and Scroll
  • Signature
  • Tabletop Bamboo with Banner
  • Lady Sol over Banners
• Specific Phrases
• Photographist
• Copies [Duplicates] may be had
• Negatives retained
• Children a specialty
• Enlargements
• Instantaneous
• Crayon or Watercolor or Charcoal
• Electric Light
• Telephone Number
• DATING BY CONTENT
• Clothing Styles
• 1830s and earlier
• 1840s
• 1850s
• 1860s
• 1870s
• 1880s
• 1890s
• 1900s
• 1910s
• 1920s
• 1930s
• 1940s
• 1950s
• 1960s
• 1970s and later
• Subject Age, Location, Etc.
• Furniture, Props, and Background Objects
• Studio Furniture and Props
• Flags
• Calandars
• Automobiles
• Telephones
• Guns and other Weapons
• Other Manufactured Goods
• Studio Backgrounds
• Posing Styles
• IDENTIFYING SUBJECTS
• People and Places
• Comparison
• Biometrics
• Process of Elimination