Daguerreotype
Daguerreotypes were the first publicly available photographic process, introduced in France in 1839 and proliferated around the world in the 1840s and 1850s. Daguerreotypes were created on thin sheets of copper with a shiny silver coating, sealed with glass on the front, and placed in a wood case. They look either negative or positive depending on how the light hits them and the angle at which they’re viewed. They may also have a surreal 3D look, almost like a modern hologram.
A few ways to identify a daguerreotype are the mirror-like shiny image, the copper back plate, and only seeing the image from certain angles. Note that the image surface of a daguerreotype is very delicate and even the most gentle wiping can cause permanent damage. The copper plates will tarnish when exposed to air, so don’t remove the glass cover. Don’t be surprised, these images are usually reversed left-to-right because of how the images were captured.
- Date: 1839 – 1860
- Dimensions: the most common size is a 2 × 3 inch portrait, but sizes vary
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