Half Plate & Sixth Plate Ambrotypes Both Depicting the Same Sisters (1 of 10)

The Three MusCATeers

Kent, UK

I am a small private dealer with a love for small decorative items predominantly from the Georgian and Victorian periods each with their own beauty. A beauty that is not always expected. Below are some of my favourite finds and past sales from Etsy where I have been trading for the last 7 years.

Half Plate & Sixth Plate Ambrotypes Both Depicting the Same Sisters

Name: Half Plate & Sixth Plate Ambrotypes Both Depicting the Same Sisters
SKU: LA485588
Price: 350 GBP
Availability: InStock

REF: LA485588

£350

€409

$440

+44 7478 316540

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Description

I maybe wrong but when these two cased photographs came up in a single lot at an Auction I could not escape the strong feeling that I was looking at the same two Sisters taken several years apart, but this is only what I see in the photographs, there is no provenance to prove it. But I can not shake this thought so I think it is only right that I sell them together. Both of the photos are I believe Ambrotypes, although not an Expert I have tried the Magnet Test on each and both times it falls off the glass, which I believe means they are not Tintypes. The Larger of the two with the wonderful image of the Younger Sisters is relative rare size and is termed a Half Plate. The smaller of the two photos is known as a Sixth Plate, a size which is much more common. It shows 'The Sisters' slightly older as young ladies. Each of the Ambrotypes are in there own leather covered wood cases and the larger one has an embossed pattern on the front. Both the cases have wonderful lush velvet on the inside cover again the larger one has an embossed pattern where the small one is plain.

measurements

Younger Sisters - Half Plate - Height 5&1/2" / 14cm, Width 4&1/4" / 11cm, Depth 1/2" / 1.5cm. Older Sisters - Sixth Plate - Height 3&3/4" / 9.5cm, Width 3" / 7.5. Depth 1/2" / 1.5cm.

measurements

declaration

The Three MusCATeers has clarified that the Half Plate & Sixth Plate Ambrotypes Both Depicting the Same Sisters (LA485588) is genuinely of the period declared with the date/period of manufacture being Half Plate c.1860 / Sixth Plate c.1865

declaration

condition

YOUNGER SISTERS - HALF PLATE - This Ambrotype is in very good condition, I think the young sister's face is slightly out of focus but this is not a fault in the Ambrotype it is just a characteristic of how difficult it was for children to stay still for the long period of time needed to take the photo. The outside of the case is a little scuffed especially at the centre and the same is true of the underside but I think more sparingly. There is a finger print on the glass which I have not attempted to clean off. OLDER SISTERS - SIXTH PLATE. Both the case and the Ambrotype are not in such good condition as the larger one. The front and of the case is less scuffed but the spine is loose, although it has not separated. The Ambrotype itself is I think not of the same quality as the larger one and does have some spots of green mould on the Brass Matt, although this is not on the photograph itself. There is also what looks like it could be a watermark at the bottom corner just below the Older Sister's hand. Both these issues have been taken into account with the pricing.

additional info

Period:

Victorian Miscellaneous

Mid Victorian Miscellaneous

Mid 19th Century Miscellaneous

19th Century Miscellaneous

Category:

Miscellaneous

Postcards / Photos

Material:

Origin:

British