Victorian photography technique

[Muggins in Sussex]

I have found some old photos of OH's grandmother, born 1876.

When I first saw them, I thought they were glass because they are so shiny -but they aren't - they seem to be on a very hard, thick sort of card. The surface is very shiny to touch. I am wondering how they were made, as the quality seems so exceptional. Also they all feel quite heavy. Does anyone have any ideas please?

I have attempted to scan one of them :confused:
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o112/djangocrystal/MotherAunt.jpg

[Muggins in Sussex]

Ooh- it worked :d

Here's another - I'm just amazed at the quality ( of the original, not of my scanning!)

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o112/djangocrystal/latest.jpg

[WendyPusey]

You want to put them on Rootschat. There are people on there who will be able to tell you.

[Guinevere]

Joan,

I don't think they are Daguerreotype but this article may help narrow it down.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daguerreotype

[Muggins in Sussex]

You want to put them on Rootschat. There are people on there who will be able to tell you. Thanks Wendy - I know we have at least one expert in old photography on this site... but if needs be, I will consider that.

Joan,

I don't think they are Daguerreotype but this article may help narrow it down.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daguerreotype

Thanks Gywnne

When I first saw them I thought "Daguerreotype", but I don't think they can be, either. They do seem to have a sort of metallic finish, but are definitely not on glass.

They also taste metallic - don't ask me how I know! - but the tip of my tongue is burning!! LOL :d

[maggie_4_7]

Joan

Aren't those women good looking! :)

[Muggins in Sussex]

Yes, they are, Maggie - not my side of the family, though - LOL!

[Muggins in Sussex]

This is the last of the ones I have here - the rest are in the south of France

Somehow the background of this one looks as though it has been painted-I can see brushstrokes I don't think it's dirt 'cos it doesn't come off!!
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o112/djangocrystal/Elizabeth.jpg

[Muggins in Sussex]

Just found this - http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/pp_n/pp_pettigrew.htm about Pettigrew and Amos

I think the photos may be cartes de visite :confused:- they look particularly like the one of the man near the bottom of the page

Edit -looking at this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carte_de_visite , they are too small to be cartes de visite, as they are about 4.3" x 6.3" - I think they are cabinet cards
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinet_card

That would make them albumen prints http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albumen_print , I think