Posted 4 years ago
dramaqueen…
(2 items)
I found these at my apt dumpsters and just had to grab them I think if I frame them you won't see the tears
They are 17"x14" Do any of you know if they are considered a photograph or a drawing on cardboard? Someone said charcoal but they don't smear when touched Named on the backs are Margaret Smith and John Ross Smith
Also I am trying to date these by the attire I am clueless to photography and dating clothes I hope someone can help me
Thank you so much in advance
Hi there! I'm pretty sure what you have there are sometimes called "Crayon Portraits" or enlargements. They started making them in the early days of photography up until the 1920s by making an enlargement of a photo and then coloring or decorating it with crayons, paint, or charcoal. So yup! The charcoal guess probably was right. It's a cool thing!
https://www.picturerenewal.com/blog/photographys-first-enlargements
Funny, I've known about these for a long time. I think I might have one too.
Thank you! I dismissed the charcoal theory because the texture wasn't there ~ just smooth like a photo
Then again I did charcoal in the 3rd grade and the paper was a mess hah!
Thank you for the informative link!
You're welcome! I love old photos and cameras.
These are photographic.
They were made in the late 19th century.
Enlarging photographs was a big part of the photographic business of the late 19th century. The most often found size is 16" X 20" in a slightly larger frame. Yours may have been cut down.
In the enlargement process, a lot of the details were lost.
These "lost details" were filled in using color pastels and gray. Hence the collector terms of "pastel print" and "charcoal print". I have seen era advertising of the color version being referred to as "pastels". I don't recall seeing an era reference to "charcoal".
scott
Thank you so much for your expertise! I appreciate it!
Hmm. I've never heard them called that.
I have also seen era references to "crayon" for the color images.
scott
Solved Thank you all <3
Glad to help out. If you look at period cabinet cards, on the back you will often see advertisements for crayon, pastel and ink portraits.
I can post some photos if you'd like?
scott
That would be great Thanks!
Hey there scottvez, I'd love to see those advertisements too. I'll have to post the one I have too. Cool!
Here are some examples:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/293350-photographic-enlargements
I have thousands of antique images and will pull some more later for a second posting.
Will also post some cabinet cards that were copied directly-- not from an original negative.
scott
Dramaqueen-- this posting may be of interest:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/293366-notations-on-the-back-of-copied-photos?in=user
Take a look at the center photograph of notes on a cabinet card enlargement. Notes show that an enlarged photo was made in the size of 14" X 17"-- the same size as yours!
My thoughts on them being cut were off track-- they appear to be originally made to that size.
scott
Thank you Scott!! I appreciate your time in doing this I am sorry I didn't respond earlier I have been so busy dumpster diving in my apts I can't believe!! that a woman passed and her family threw away these photos I posted Yesterday I heard the son saying as I was walking down the hall "I got all the civil war photos I know they are worth something just throw the rest away WOW!
Now I have hundreds maybe thousands of cabinet cards and cdvs like you lol This woman had collected over the years as well and her kids just threw them out!! Left boxes by the dumpster WHAAAATTT?? I was so disgusted but took my shopping cart and got all the boxes 4 trips Other people were just getting handfuls hah!
What a mess I have in my front room LOL I wish I knew how to add a photo to a link as you did I am pretty sure I have those artist ads like you showed me (NICE)
Can you tell me how?
Thanks I wanna show you what I scored ! I know I will pick your brain again at some point This will take years to sort out! At 67 I dont have that many left My grandkids and great grand kids are gonna help They loved them Thanks so much!
Glad you were able to save some. There is certainly value in the Civil War images, but a lot of others carry value too.
Wish I had been there to grab them all AND buy the Civil War ones!
With photos it all depends on the subject matter-- the smallest details can turn a "nothing photo" into something desirable.
Post yours when you have the time. Always happy to help out.
scott