Date Please

[Mavioni]

Here is a photo of my great-grandparents - I wonder if anyone could venture a date for when this was taken? 

I have always thought it was about 1905-1910, but I'm being proven wrong on my other assumptions, so any feedback is welcomed!

Thanks in advance,

Rob

[Mavioni]

Just to add - this is a partially restored copy.

The original is about 2 inches by 3 inches - in a small metal frame.  The photo itself is on glass with a piece of card behind it with black paper on it.  When you hold the glass up you can see through lots of tiny holes where the photo is wearing away.
 

Never seen anything like it before!

[jim1]

Your date is about right for this.What you have appears to be an Ambrotype which is an early process from the 1850's & not seen from 1860's for portraits.This has also been corrected as Ambrotypes were imposed directly onto the glass plate & therefore reversed whereas this one is the correct way round going by his breast pocket.
Prue's the expert on these & will give you better info if she pops in later.

jim

[Mavioni]

Thanks for your reply and confirmation on the date, Jim.

I thought it was an Ambrotype, but thought it can't be because of the date.  I guess they did them later than I thought!

Rob

[PrueM]

Hi Mavioni 

Definitely sounds like an Ambrotype, but these were, as Jim says, an early process.  I don't think I've ever seen one as late as this, but perhaps someone was just "mucking about" with processes and decided to make one for an experiment or for fun (photographers and others today still play with what we call "alternative processes").

I think you're right with the date.

Cheers
Prue