Ambrotypes

An early form of wet plate photography, most popular in the 1850s and 1860s. The image was produced as a negative on a piece of glass. A backing of black lacquer was used to coat the back, which changed the image into a positive when viewed. There were other ways of reaching the desired effect, such as using colored glass or black case lining.

Almost as fragile as daguerreotypes, these images are largely kept in cases for added protection.