Collector's Guide to Early Photographs [Paperback]

O. Henry Mace (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1999

This updated one-of-a-kind reference guide provides invaluable information on identifying, cataloging, and valuing cased images to help readers succeed in the hot hobby of collecting and preserving 19th-century photographs. This new edition gives updated prices for hundreds of photographs, and includes the latest improvements and trends in restoration, conservation, and pricing.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: kp books; 2nd edition (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873417208
• ISBN-13: 978-0873417204
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #846,937 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Comprehensive & Detailed" Guide to Old Photographs, June 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Collector's Guide to Early Photographs (Collectors Guide Series) (Paperback)

To learn more about old photographs and their care, I ordered three books; An Ounce of Preservation by Craig Tuttle, Collector's Guide to Early Photographs by O. Henry Mace, and Care and Identification of 19th Century Photographic Prints by James Reilly.

Collector's Guide to Early Photographs goes beyond describing the basic types (categories) of old photographs. It provides entire chapters detailing the descriptions of each category and sub-categories of old photographs. There is specific advice regarding collecting each category of old photograph, as well as advice on which photographed subjects (animals, children, etc.) images are most rare / plentiful for collectors. Also detailed are the various markings used to identify the manufacturer of the daguerreotype plates, and the cases (small frames) in which they were mounted. All of which is important for identification of prized photographs in a collection. Also included is a listing of notable early photographers (ten pages long) whose work is of particular interest to collectors. There is rarely a page in the book doesn't include at least one picture / illustration of a category of photographs, photographed subjects, close up details of case markings, brass mats, etc. Approximately half the book is devoted to the non-paper based photographs (daguerreotype, ambrotype, and tintype) with the remaining half addressing the various paper based photographs.

Except for a few pages regarding restoration of "cased images," this book does not provide any significant advice on care and storage of photographs. The advice is that restoration should be left to trained individuals, as just about anything you do will damage the print.

This is an outstanding book for learning the details about the various categories and types of photographs in existence. Also, as the title indicates, it is a guide for collecting. Excellent details are given to help you begin or expand a collection of old photographs. If you prefer a concise overview of! the basic categories of old photographs, or desire details about common damage and how to minimize further damage, "An Ounce of Preservation" is a better book. If you need very detailed information about the care and preservation of paper prints (photographs after the daguerreotype, ambrotype, and tintype era), then "Care and Identification of 19th-Century Photographic Prints" provides that.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A definitive reference for the collector and scholar..., March 25, 2000

By 

Laura Haggarty (Northern KY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Collector's Guide to Early Photographs (Paperback)

This is a marvelous book. It is chock-full of information on the various photographic processes of the early 19th century. It takes us from cased images (daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, tintypes) to photography on paper (calotypes, wet plates, albumen prints, cartes de viste, cabinet cards, sterographs) to late 19th century processes (dry plate, silver prints, platinum prints) and has a special section on US Civil War images. An exhaustive reference sure to please.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Beginners, September 7, 2001

By 

Renae Gregoire "CarolinaRen" (Mountains of Western North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Collector's Guide to Early Photographs (Paperback)

Perfect book for the beginner in the world of early photography. Details each type of early photo, describes the process used to make it, and explains how to identify it. The author also shares tips on buying: what to look for, what's exceptional, and what to avoid. Gives prices and lots of great picture examples, and details restoration efforts that beginners can and should do, as well as what NOT to do. Loved it and would highly recommend!