Rare C. 1870s Chocolate Tintype Child in Wrinkled Sailor Studio Prop, Barefoot For Sale
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Rare C. 1870s Chocolate Tintype Child in Wrinkled Sailor Studio Prop, Barefoot: $69.99
Item DescriptionOverview: Offered for sale is a fascinating, highly collectible original Victorian-era tintype (ferrotype) photograph dating to Circa 1875–1885. This unique image captures a child posing in a themed, novelty coastal resort studio, rich with sought-after social history details and charming early photographic "smoke and mirrors."Key Features & Collector Points:
Thematic Studio Prop Dress: The child is dressed in an ornate, naval-inspired costume featuring elaborate wave-patterned scroll/soutache embroidery on the collar, cuffs, and hem. Heavy, distinct creases, wrinkles, and loose fit clearly identify this as a shared, unironed studio prop garment pulled from a photographer’s wardrobe trunk—a detail highly prized by photography historians.
The Intentional Barefoot Detail: Departing from strict Victorian social norms of formal footwear, the child is photographed completely barefoot to match the coastal theme, simulating wading in the surf.
Scenic Backdrop & Props: Features a naively painted, dramatic ocean wave studio backdrop paired with an authentic, rustic Adirondack twig branch chair—a textbook late-19th-century studio prop.
Genuine Chocolate Tintype Plate: The iron plate features an authentic, factory-applied plum/reddish-brown chocolate enamel backing manufactured by the Phenix Plate Company (introduced in 1870). The rich cocoa color runs cleanly through the enamel layers right down to the exposed metal chips on the edges, confirming its scarcity over standard black tintypes.
Condition Report:
Type: Original direct-positive tintype on iron plate.
Size: Standard Ninth-Plate (measures approximately 2.5" x 3.5") with diagonally clipped corners for album mounting.
Surface: Shows normal, age-appropriate wear including fine surface scratches and minor abrasions across the emulsion layer.
Edges: Features beautiful, raw iron edges with typical minor flaking, lacquer bubbling, and slight oxidation/rusting concentrated on the far-right border and corners, consistent with an uncleaned, authentic antique plate. Reverse side shows minor scuffing from past album storage.
