1860's style photograph reproductions
Carte de Visite 1860-1866+
The style of photographs we make for Civil War re-enactors is the Carte de Visite (visiting card), which first appeared about 1860. The popularity of this type of photograph peaked from 1863-1876 and was replaced by the cabinet card. The print was usually an albumen print that was mounted to a card. The Cartes could be placed in carte album which was the forerunner of the photograph album.
The carte de Visite was started by Andre Disdéri who patented a way to take several photographs on one plate of film. This made the process more efficient and allowed more prints to be made at a lower cost.
Even though we don't use the traditional chemical process, our cards are detailed to be sure they appear as close as possible to the original style.
Card Thickness - The thinner the card the earlier the date the card was made.
We use the thinner card stock that is closest to what was used then.
Card Corners - Square corners were used until 1870 when the rounded corners were introduced to minimize damage. Some early cards have rounded edges because of handling and wear or their owners trimmed them.
Square corners is our standard cut.
Image Size on Card - A photograph measuring 2.125 x 3.5 inches mounted on a card sized 2.5 x 4 inches.
These standards are no problem.
Card Borders - The early cards had no border. About 1864 a single thin line, or two thin lines were used. The thin inner line and a thicker outer one was used in 1866.
Let us know which border style you prefer.
Studio Props & Background - Until the late 1860's the backgrounds were simple with only a chair or small table. The five to fifteen second exposure times meant that the subject had to be comfortable and not move at all or the moving parts would be blurry.
Our studio props conform to this simplicity for the appearance of the time period.
Contact us about making Carte de Visite and Cabinet Cards from your photographs,
or visit our traveling studio.
See our traveling studio schedule here.
Cabinet Cards 1866-1900+
Our style is the 1866-1870 version.
This style of photographs came into popularity in 1866 and was larger than the carte de visite. The image area, size of the card, and thickness of the card were larger than the carte de visite.
The popularity of this type of photograph peaked from 1875-1895 and dwindled until 1924.
Early on, the print was usually an albumen print that was mounted to the card so there was the sepia tone. Later the photos were soft with silver tones and rich blacks.
Even though we don't use the traditional chemical process, our cards are detailed to be sure they appear as close as possible to the original early style.
Card Thickness - Cabinet cards are thicker than the carte de visite.
We use card stock appropriate to the style of print requested.
Card Corners - Square corners were used until 1870 when the rounded corners were introduced to minimize damage. Some early cards have rounded edges because of handling and wear or their owners trimmed them.
Square corners is our standard cut.
Image Size on Card - A photograph measuring 3.75 x 6 inches mounted on a card sized 4.25 x 6.5 inches.
These standards are no problem.
Card Borders - Our cabinet cards have one wide border.
Our cabinet card style is of the 1866-1869 time period.
Studio Props & Background - Until the late 1860's the backgrounds were simple. Only a chair, small table, or other objects for the subject to steady or support themselves on. Film speed increased slightly over the Carte de Visite processes, but not by much.
Our studio props conform to this simplicity.
Contact us about making Carte de Visite and Cabinet Cards from your photographs,
or visit our traveling studio.
See our traveling studio schedule here.