Tinted Photos

A celluloid medallion. For additional examples, see the George Eastman House's extensive collection of Celluloid Medallions & Buttons on Flickr.

Tinted tinype in a CDV-sized paper mount. Mouse over the top of this image to see a close-up of the tintype . Printed on the reverse (see small image below): "Cope, artificial fly tyer and photographer, cor. Strawberry Alley & LaFayette Street, Norristown, Pa."

For more information, see the full version of the tintype.

"Cope, artificial fly tyer and photographer, cor. Strawberry Alley & LaFayette Street, Norristown, Pa." This is the reverse of Tintype of Girl in Plaid Dress, Norristown, Pa. (see small image below).

Or Joyeux Noël? Although "Happy New Year" is the French greeting on this hand-colored real photo postcard, the greenery, snowman, and red and green coloring seem to suggest a Christmas scene.

A hand colored photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park . "Vœux Sincères. Dédé, Paris, 1200." This French hand-tinted real photo postcard combines images of a house, flowers, and a carload of babies to deliver a message of "Vœux Sincères" (sincere wishes) for the New Year.

Probably one of those blue-collar workers.

"While dressed up in my very best, I wish you luck and all the rest." Postmarked: Tunbridge Falls, 27 Sep 13. Addressed to: Miss Hornsby, c/o Mrs. Fail, 180 Upper Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Falls. Message: "Dear Joyce, I expect you are very glad your birthday has come. I hope you will have a very happy one. Lots of love and kisses from Auntie Mary." The previous owner of this real photo postcard referred to the distinguished Edwardian feline as "Sir Reginald Pussycat."

Printed on the back of this real photo postcard: "J. A. Walk Studios, Philadelphia, Pa., Atlantic City, N.J. Opp. Million Dollar Pier entrance." For a similar souvenir photo, see The Jolly Crew of Atlantic City Life Boat No. 5 .

This tinted real photo postcard shows the original Sewickley Bridge , which spanned the Ohio River between Sewickley and Moon Township in western Pennsylvania. Located about twelve miles northwest of Pittsburgh, the bridge was completed in 1911, dismantled in 1980 after significant deterioration, and replaced by a new bridge that opened in 1981. A Find A Grave search identified the final resting places of "Wesley Charlton" (probably Mark Wesley Charlton, Sr. , 1877-1921) and "Wm. Snowwhite" (probably William Snowwhite , 1886-1968). Charlton and Snowwhite likely lived in the area at the time the bridge was completed in 1911. I haven't been able to determine any other specific reason that they chose the bridge as the subject for the holiday postcard that they created that year. Greetings of the Season, Christmas, 1911 This is an exceptional view of the Ohio river bridge and the only one of its kind in existence. It was obtained through an unique process by Wesley Charlton and the plate and product are the exclusive property of Wm. Snowwhite, the sender.

A brightly colored celluloid medallion with a photo of a cute kid on a Taylor-Tot stroller for the Taylor-Tot Stroller Vintage Memories group. For additional examples, see the George Eastman House's fascinating and extensive collection of Celluloid Medallions & Buttons on Flickr.

Printed on the back: "This card is a genuine photograph, hand colored. Made in the United States." Perhaps this real photo postcard was intended as a birth announcement, since it used to be (or still is?) customary for fathers to hand out cigars to friends, relatives, and coworkers when a child was born. Otherwise, it seems rather strange to imagine a smiling infant passing out cigars like this.

A tinted portrait of a somber-looking fellow. Printed on the back of this CDV (see below): "Patton & Dietrich's Photograph Gallery, cor. of Seventh & Penn Sts., Reading, Pa. P.&R. RR. No. ________. Additional copies of this picture can be had at any time." The Patton & Dietrich's Photograph Gallery Backmark (below) features an illustration of a train belonging to the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad (P&R). This company later became the Reading Railroad (RDG), which still appears as one of the railroads on the Monopoly gameboard.

A French hand-tinted real photo postcard. For another postcard with a similar image, see Breaking the News, Lititz Express, July 4, 1907 :

A kiss photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. This French tinted real photo postcard shows a man bending over to kiss a woman on the neck. A pen, sheet of paper, and ink bottle are visible on the small table in front of the woman, and the man has evidently interrupted her as she was writing a letter or note. The caption at the bottom of the card humorously describes the situation: "À courir plus longtemps la plume se refuse / Quand un brûlant baiser à l'arret sert d'excuse" (Google translation with assistance from John FitzGerald: "To run longer the pen refuses / When a burning kiss serves as an excuse to stop"). (Thanks to John FitzGerald for helping to improve the translation.)

Handwritten note on the back of this tinted photo: "Carole with McGuffey Ann on the DeSoto, October 1949." A 1940 newspaper ad described the McGuffey Ann doll (it's name was actually "Ana" rather than "Ann") as "a real American beauty with pigtails and straw bonnet."