Latest Finds with A Little History on Daguerrotypes

I'm fascinated by old pictures. Even more so when they come in these wee little, ornate cases with a velvet lining.

Daguerrotypes were created by Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre in France. The process makes a detailed image on a copper plated sheet with a thin coat of silver. No negatives were used.

The next part is a bit more scientific and tricky and I'm borrowing a snippet from the Library of Congress (American Memory) website:

The process required great care. The silver-plated copper plate had first to be cleaned and polished until the surface looked like a mirror. Next, the plate was sensitized in a closed box over iodine until it took on a yellow-rose appearance. The plate, held in a lightproof holder, was then transferred to the camera. After exposure to light, the plate was developed over hot mercury until an image appeared. To fix the image, the plate was immersed in a solution of sodium thiosulfate or salt and then toned with gold chloride.

I'm seriously wondering about that mercury and how dangerous that was to work with!


They were then placed in these neat little cases called the "Union Case."

Decorative and fancy, people probably really cherished these images. Something we take for granted today.

Dear Hubs went to an auction in our neighborhood area and found some really cool stuff, this being one of them.

Some of our other finds are below:

This brooch is gorgeous in person. The camera does't quite capture the essence of marcasite. Lovely sterling silver piece. Wear as a pendant or a pin.


Marriage vow book with the brides original copper nameplate... her name is imprinted on the plate ready to produce cards or stationery. I'm thinking the copper alone is worth the price!

This was one of my favorite pieces this week.

Sterling mother of pearl ring.


For the chippy/shabby fan....antique school books "Normal Mental Arithemetic."

Hmmmm. What would the abnormal math be like????

Sterling silver flower pin

Victorian die cut scraps and calling cards..great for crafters and paper/mixed media artists. I love the turquoise fan!

All (and more not shown) in our JUST LISTED category.