How to Identify Daguerreotypes

Daguerreotypes were the first kind of widely available photograph. Today, they are valuable and highly sought after. However, some confusion exists about how to identify a daguerreotype. Here's how to recognize one.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Note the key features of a daguerreotype. All daguerreotypes consist of an image etched into polished silver. The silver gives the photograph a mirror-like quality. This image is visible from certain angles when you move the daguerreotype back and forth in your hand.

2. Measure the size of the photograph. Daguerreotypes were only made in a limited number of sizes. While they can be as small as 1 3/8 inch by 1 5/8 inch or as large as 6 1/2 inches by 8 1/2 inches, the majority of daguerreotypes one will find are 2 3/4 inches by 3 3/4 inches in size.

3. Study the way the photograph is mounted. Made from polished silver, all daguerreotypes were mounted behind a sheet of glass attached to the backing with paper tape to prevent tarnishing the silver.

4. Examine the case of the daguerreotype. Daguerreotypes were usually placed in cases to hold the photograph and its glass cover together. These cases resemble a woman's compact mirror with a hinge to open and close the case. These cases are often beautifully decorated demonstrating how valuable the photographs inside were.

5. Try to determine the age of the photograph. Daguerreotypes were only common between the years 1840 and 1855. After 1855, other methods such as ambrotypes and tintypes were more common.

Tips & Warnings

• The photographing process for daguerreotypes caused all images to be reversed. The only ways to flip these images were to take another daguerreotype of the daguerreotype or to use a setup of mirrors.
• You'll notice some silver tarnishing near the glass edge of some daguerreotypes because of tape.
• Many daguerreotypes are matted with a masking frame to cover the edge of the photograph. The masking frame can be of varying shapes, including rectangular and oval shaped.
• Ambrotypes and tintypes were often also kept in cases because such cases were the fashion of the time. However, these other photographs will not have the other characteristics of daguerreotypes.
• Images in daguerreotypes may appear slightly blurry. This is because people had to sit still for long periods of time while the exposure was taken. This typically took at least a minute. If the subject moved, this could cause some blurriness in the image.

Resources

• The Daguerreian Society