Bidspirit auction | A Trio of 19th-Century African

A Trio of 19th-Century African American Tin Types - Three 19th-century tin types featuring formal studio portraits of African American subjects. The first plate is a full-length portrait of a man in a dark suit and bow tie, posed next to architectural studio props. The second plate depicts a seated man holding a walking stick accompanied by a standing woman wearing a hat with feather ornamentation. The third plate is a bust-length portrait of a woman wearing a high-collared garment with a ribbon and a heart-shaped pendant; this image features hand-applied pink tinting to the cheeks. These images are direct-positive photographs on thin iron plates and are presented without frames or cases. No maker's marks, signatures, or inscriptions are present on the front or reverse of the plates. Dimensions: 2.25 inches x 3.25 inches (bust portrait). The plates exhibit fine surface scratches and scuffing consistent with age. Minor oxidation and rust are present along the edges and on the reverse sides. The full-length portrait displays significant emulsion crazing and crackling in the lower quadrant. Small areas of emulsion loss are visible at the corners. Scattered chemical spotting and flyspecks are present on the image surfaces. The hand-tinted pigment remains well-preserved.