Smiling soldier tintype

[Injunben]

Hey guys I found this image for sale and i had a few questions. I'm new to the civil war photography world. It's a 1/4 plate is very good condition. How uncommon are these tintypes that show soldiers smiling? Also, it's a bit pricey, 900.00$ and the seller isn't budging on the price. What do you guys think? Should I pass on it or buy it? Thanks for any advice!

 

[Salterr]

It's not common at all to see smiling images. The case alone is worth a decent amount but the clarity of the image is very good and the backdrop isn't seen very often. They usually don't budge too often unless they can or unless it's been sitting a while but this just went up a few days ago. They have payment plans where you can split it over 3 months with a 20% down start

 

[Salterr]

Did I talk to you on Facebook about this image?

 

[Injunben]

Did I talk to you on Facebook about this image?

You sure did! Man they took down my post for some reason. I was replying back to your last message you sent and then I got the notification that it was removed.

 

[Salterr]

You sure did! Man they took down my post for some reason. I was replying back to your last message you sent and then I got the notification that it was removed.

I saw that too when I went back to look at it. The admin is very particular about showing other dealers because he is also a dealer. Sorry about it being erased, I had no problem with it but as a moderator I can't see everything or the reasons behind it

 

[Injunben]

It's not common at all to see smiling images. The case alone is worth a decent amount but the clarity of the image is very good and the backdrop isn't seen very often. They usually don't budge too often unless they can or unless it's been sitting a while but this just went up a few days ago. They have payment plans where you can split it over 3 months with a 20% down start

I was wondering about that case. I couldn't really find a whole lot about it online so I thought it might be scarce. And the pictures of smiles from soldiers are really hard to locate as well.

 

[Salterr]

I'm sure others will chime in too. I've been examining prices for 8 years now and though it's expensive, it's not confederate expensive. I've collected close to 12,000 screenshots of items and prices and looking through my photos I don't have one with a smiling soldier listed in all that time

 

[Salterr]

I was wondering about that case. I couldn't really find a whole lot about it online so I thought it might be scarce. And the pictures of smiles from soldiers are really hard to locate as well.

There is a good book that showcases these cases. They are cataloged, all the varieties by "Berg" numbers. The authors name

 

[RedRover]

Here's a smiling soldier from the war with Mexico, Captain William W. Chapman of the US Army...

 

[Injunben]

I saw that too when I went back to look at it. The admin in very particular about showing other dealers because he is also a dealer. Sorry about it being erased, I had no problem with it but as a moderator I can't see everything or the reasons behind it

Ahhh I see. I looked over the rules and couldn't see which one I might have broken. Oh well, water under the bridge. Thanks for your advice and help on this image. I'm gonna go ahead and put it on layaway. It really grabbed me when I first saw it and it would break my heart to let it go now.

 

[Salterr]

Ahhh I see. I looked over the rules and couldn't see which one I might have broken. Oh well, water under the bridge. Thanks for your advice and help on this image. I'm gonna go ahead and put it on layaway. It really grabbed me when I first saw it and it would break my heart to let it go now.

This will help with cases. There are different types made of different materials. Same for the images themselves. You'll find tintypes, ambrotypes and daguerreotype images around this time period

 

[Injunben]

Here's a smiling soldier from the war with Mexico, Captain William W. Chapman of the US Army...

View attachment 531038

Awesome!

 

[Injunben]

View attachment 531039This will help with cases. There are different types made of different materials. Same for the images themselves. You'll find tintypes, ambrotypes and daguerreotype images around this time period

I'll have to check that out because I have lots of questions about those cases

 

[Salterr]

Ahhh I see. I looked over the rules and couldn't see which one I might have broken. Oh well, water under the bridge. Thanks for your advice and help on this image. I'm gonna go ahead and put it on layaway. It really grabbed me when I first saw it and it would break my heart to let it go now.

When searching on your own make sure you check the cases as well. They make reproductions

 

[Salterr]

I'll have to check that out because I have lots of questions about those cases

What are some things you have questions about?

 

[Salterr]

I'll have to check that out because I have lots of questions about those cases

These are signs of replicas on this style case with hinges. Others types of cases don't have hinges but a glued strip of material on original pieces

 

[Injunben]

I'm sure others will chime in too. I've been examining prices for 8 years now and though it's expensive, it's not confederate expensive. I've collected close to 12,000 screenshots of items and prices and looking through my photos I don't have one with a smiling soldier listed in all that time

This guy sent a message saying it's a put together piece and isn't cw period.

 

[Injunben]

These are signs of replicas on this style case with hinges. Others types of cases don't have hinges but a glued strip of material on original piecesView attachment 531041View attachment 531042

 

[Salterr]

View attachment 531044

They are referring to the gold mat that frames the photo. Pictures are framed by a gold mat then a gold border that is separate and then glass to protect it. The image will have to be removed from the mat frame to see the imprint on it. Plain styled mats are usually earlier while patriotic mats or floral designs are during the war. It is extremely common that images get moved from cases. While it may not be the one it originally was put in, the case itself is still worth a good amount on its own. The original case could have broken and the image was moved to another. Both the image and case are real and authentic pieces of the period but possibly have been "married." The image is civil war. That company also guarantees every piece so you can also return an item if not described correctly. When looking at descriptions be aware of when people use the term "of the era" that could swing many years each way pre and post

 

[Injunben]

They are referring to the gold mat that frames the photo. pictures are framed by a gold mat. A gold border that is separate and then glass to protect it. The image will have to be removed from the mat frame to see the imprint on it. Plain styled mats are usually earlier while patriotic mats or floral designs are during the war. It is extremely common that images get moved from cases. While it may not be the one it originally was put in, the case itself is still worth a good amount on its own. The original case could have broken and the image was moved to another. Both the image and case are real and authentic pieces of the period but possibly have been "married." That company also guarantees every piece so you can also return an item if not described correctly

Oh ok that makes sense now. See that's not as bad as I thought because heck, they are both original,and after 160 years, things get moved around. I'm ok with that. I collect ww2 Usmc helmet covers and they are almost never on the original helmet they came with and they still command a premium.