Ferrotype 2 mustachioed men Victorian era. 1860. Top hat. Nozzle hat.

Ferrotype depicting two mustachioed men from the Victorian era leaning on a cane, wearing a top hat and a pocket watch.
Very nice condition despite the plate being somewhat curved in the middle right (see photos).
Around 1860.
9.7 x 6 cm

The Ferrotype process was developed by the Frenchman Adolphe Alexandre Martin (1824-1896) who was looking for a process to improve the engraving work on plates for printers.
Like the ambrotype, the ferrotype uses a collodion photosensitive base. This is spread on a 0.15 mm thick iron plate that has previously been covered with black varnish.
Simple, fast, inexpensive, the Ferrotype will be a huge commercial success and will last until the eve of the Second World War in Europe.
Like other types of black and white images, Ferrotypes can be enhanced with colors applied with a brush by artisan photographers.


If you have any questions, don't hesitate.