Misconception in CDV's

[30th_il]

Actually, a tintype can be a CDV. CDV refers to the size of the picture/card (usually about 2X4") as a cabinet card is also a size (abt4X6"). Many times a small tintype called a Gem was inserted into a card 2X4" making it a CDV. The CDVs you are generally refering to are albumens that are placed on a 2X4" card stock. Daguereotypes, ambrotypes and tintypes were of various sizes and generally referred to as 1/9th, 1/6th (the most populat size and about the size of a mans wallet) 1/4th, 1/2 and full plates, the latter two pretty much only found in tintype. The dags used a silver emulsion and had to be viewed from an angle to see the image. Ambros are basically a negative and needs a dark backround to see the image and tins were the most durable but with the image being reversed.

[william42]

Thanks Matt. As usual when I dig into a topic having to do with the Civil War, I find there is much more below the service than what I originally thought. My mom-in-law has what I think is a Gem, going by your description above. I would like to collect some myself one of these days.

Terry

[jenna]

Terry, just watch as you start to collect. There are so many out there that know how to reproduce the old pictures that you need to really look and examine them. I have a small collection of cdv's that I can honestly say that I probably have one or two that are actully modern day. But, I didn't pay more then $2.00 for them and the learning purposes that they provide make them worth while.

Jenna

Oh and Ray, I had heard some where, and forgive me but I can't remember where, but yes, there were gays out there, but really lived by the creed of "don't tell" more so then even the millitary does today. They would have been persecuted and sometimes, in very religious communities, killed for being "unchristian" in their sexual prefferances. But they were out there, just more like a cult group then today's out there attitudes. But to be able to express ones self without reservations is what I find very interesting about the Victiorian period. Their ability to write without scrutiny. Very refreshing indeed, and I don't think they were all Italian!!

[william42]

Jenna, thanks for the heads-up on the purchasing. I bet that there are many non-authentics out there. Don't know if I would recognize them or not, but I will be careful. Thank you again.

Terry

[30th_il]

Terry, what subject matter are you looking to collect. I know many people that sell and collect that I am sure are trustworthy. As to fakes, bring a magnifying glass. A repro image is made up of many dots while the cdv/albumen isn't. After collecting for awhile it is esier to spot a cdv the "just doesn't look quite right". Matt

[william42]

Matt, thanks for the reply. I'd really like to find the cdv's/daguerrotypes with soldiers as the subject, either North or South. At this time I really don't have the extra funds to do a serious search, but hopefully eventually I will. But the subject would definitely be a Civil War soldier.

Terry

[jenna]

That's interesting about the "dots" Matt. Thanks for the heads up on that as well. And your echoing sentiments about them "just not looking right" is exactly what I would say. You just have a gut feeling when you look at some. The angle of the head, or the hair style, or even the props can be dead give aways for repos.

Terry, you are going to be looking at some mighty expensive pics there. Any time you get a cdv/daugerro or anything that has to do with soldiers, identified or not, you are looking at some big money. Saw one just recently on eBay that was of a soldier and his wife, both dressed in 5th NY infantry gear, with the badges and everything. Fantatsic picture, and the couple was identified, and it went for $175.00! I have seen some of Lee go for $3500! So whenever you look at the military ones you are looking at money. Kids pics always go for peanuts as well as just the "headshots". But the more detailed the pic the more money they go for. With the glass prints if the case is in excellent condition and there is no breaks in the glass you can often be looking at $85 for some of those. So be prepared.

Jenna

[rbenne]

Jenna;

Of course homosexuality existed in the period, but it was totally unacceptable. One of the only “known” (outed in todays terms) homosexuals was Oscar Wilde, who was just out of our period. And for his “perverted ways” he did two years hard labor, while never admitting his homosexuality (he would have done more time if he had). All of this occurred in England which was even more liberal then the US at that time.

Bottom line, no way the hand holding in the CDV meant homosexuality, as I said before it would have been evidence of a crime at that time.

As to being Italian, they and some other Europeans simply hold on to the older tradition that was so common “back then” that we have since lost. (Demonstrations of masculine affection).

[30th_il]

Walt Whitman was also a homosexual but I don't think he aroused (poor choice of words?) any suspicions.

[rbenne]

30th

some say he was yes, and well may have been. but he was quiet about it and not "outed" as Wilde was. Had he been he probably would have done time too. It was a zero tolarance thing then