What are these itty bitty pictures?

[slumry]

I am in possession of an envelope of 7 very small images. They are all about 1-1/8” by ¾” and are all head shot portraits of people in dress from the turn of the century. They seem to be very detailed considering the size of the image. I believe they are printed on metal, perhaps tin; however, the color on the back of the picture is dark brown and looks like it is coated in resin. Can someone tell me what these are and why they were made?

Thank you.

 

[removed account4]

they sound like "little gem" tintypes.
they were made with a camera
that had 12 or 16 lenses after, the 12 or 16 images were cut apart.
probably for the same reason "wallet size" photographs
are made today ...

i restored dozens of turn of the century images
for a family and some of these little gems were amongst
the images i was given to work on. they really are little-gems ...

john

 

[slumry]

Thanks John, your description seems spot on. I am just having trouble understanding how the camera was designed and how it would be operated. The quality of the images are really outstanding.

 

[Whiteymorange]

The cameras that took "Gem" photos had multiple lenses and shot a number of images on one plate, which was later cut into pieces. Here's one.

 

[removed account4]

http://www.amazon.com/Polaroid-6-Lens-Portrait-Camera-Double-Page/dp/B002VY3F5U
seems to be the modern day polaroid version of the same thing

john

 

[mike c]

The studio I use to work at had a Polaroid camera with either two or 4 lens that they used for past port pics.Not the same use as the Gem camera but same principle.

 

[holmburgers]

That's a great idea. Probably used for lockets, eh?

 

[Whiteymorange]

http://www.amazon.com/Polaroid-6-Lens-Portrait-Camera-Double-Page/dp/B002VY3F5U
seems to be the modern day polaroid version of the same thing

john

Didn't I give you one of those at the APUG Beach Blanket Bingo Give-Away and Swap last year?

 

[removed account4]

Didn't I give you one of those at the APUG Beach Blanket Bingo Give-Away and Swap last year?

YES!

( and thanks again ! )

john

 

[papagene]

Didn't I give you one of those at the APUG Beach Blanket Bingo Give-Away and Swap last year?

I gotta attend one of them events!!!

 

[removed account4]