This is the first gem tintype album I've purchased, from a dealer who just pulled it out of an old estate in Jaffrey, NH. I do look at these sorts of albums, and do find the tiny-ness of gem tintypes rather amazing, but usually, with one close up portrait of unknown person after another, they don't strike me as super compelling. (On my mantle, however, I have a single gem tintype of a man seated in a chair in a simple contemporary frame that is one of my very favorite things I own; something about the minimalism of it, and its miniature-ness, and the distance from the camera due to fitting the chair in picture really does it.) Anyway, what compelled me about this one, 1860s to very early 1870s, is that there are a number of tintypes in it of two people together, including women clasping hands, and in one case three, two of who of whom I believe are Civil War sailors in uniform. Looks to me like a few others in uniform too, and one wounded (his, perhaps partial, arm appears concealed under his coat), and maybe another blind, and also a wonderful portrait of a man looking rather like Matthew McConaughey with a pipe in his mouth! And just some wonderful faces and clothing. Also included is a tiny photo of Schuyler Colfax, Vice President under Grant, 1869 to 1873. Seems possible too that the woman on the first page is at least part Native American.
28 gem tintypes + 2 gem size photos. Album measures 3 3/8" x 2 1/8" x 7/8". All pages pictured. Binding shows wear/damage; the inside first title page ("tin type album") is loose but the rest remain bound. Last couple of pages are empty and there are a few empty frames earlier on, and few tears around the photos. Photos document a few favorites then all pages in order.
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