Two 1860s Gem Tintypes Associated with Simon Wing

Presented here is a very small pair of gem tintypes. I acquired these because of their connection to the renowned camera maker Simon Wing. Cameras by Wing are highly sought by collectors and I have a couple from my collection posted here on CW.

In addition to cameras, Wing patented a variety of items including tintype mounts. The gem portrait of a woman is mounted in an 1868 Wing patent mount with tiny stars surrounding an oval opening. There are no studio markings on the back of the card, but the artist applied a bit of color to the woman’s cheek.

The second image of a casually seated gentleman is in a nice looking embossed mount. The reverse advertises the Sunbeam Gallery (Rochester, NY) and mentions the picture was “Made with Wing’s Patent Multiplying Camera.”

Quaint images like these are not rare and often found for reasonable prices.