History Bound, LLC

The world of collecting antique photos can sometimes be confusing. There are several types of antique photos. We will try to help clarify the types here for you.

Tintype

CASED IMAGES - This category generally represents the earliest types of photography. These include:

Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, and Tintypes. These photos date from 1839 - 1869

Daguerreotypes - Photo produced on a copper plate coated with silver.

Ambrotype - A negative image produced on a glass plate and viewed as a positive with the

addition of a black paper backing.

Tintype - A negative image on a thin iron plate with a black varnish to create a positive

image.

All three types of these images were normally inserted into individual cases for protection. Among the most highly sought after photos from this era are real Civil War scenes, men in uniform and early village scenes.

Carte de Visite

CARTE DE VISTE - (carte de visite) - Visiting Card. A photographic print generally measuring 2 1/2 x 3 1/2

inches and mounted on a card 2 1/2″ x 4″. These photos date from 1854 - 1905. As with

any photos, the collectors value will be determined by the subject matter. Popular collector

types include men in military uniforms, hunting scenes, people working at their trades eg.

candle maker, cook, glass blower etc. , political luminaries, railroads, villages and American Indians. Queen Victoria was an avid collector.

Cabinet Photo H.M.S. Pinafore

CABINET CARDS - A photographic print attached to a cardboard mount. These came in many sizes and

were popular from 1863 - 1920s. Most of the cabinet cards that you will find will have

only a family sentimental value. Again, the subject matter will determine the value of

these photos. War scenes are alway highly collected. Personalities of note, town and city

scenes, outlaws, storm damage, train wrecks etc. The normal photo of “mom and dad” has

little if any value.

Stereograph - 1906 Duck Hunting

STEREOGRAPHS - Two identical photographs mounted on a cardboard backing for use in a view to create a

3-D scene. These date from 1851 - 1930s. There are many surviving stereographs . The

popular scenes are of military actions, Spanish American War, Boer War, WWI . There are

many sets and series including around the world scenes in a set of over 300 photos.

Some of the rarest and most sought after scenes are from the old West, Indians etc. and

can bring values in the hundreds and thousands of dollars. Again - subject matter is the

key.

Feel free to email us with any questions or comments. We hope this has been of some help.

Fancy Daguerreotype case

In the 1930s the Great Northern Railroad began an aggressive advertising campaign to promote their hotels at Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Many of their advertising pieces had Blackfoot Indian scenes. These were included on calendars, brochures, railroad menus etc. The artwork was so popular that it is highly collected today. Some people collect just the menus. Others prefer the various calendars. We have shown several of the various original framed prints recently acquired from an estate in Minnesota.

The Sign Talkers Great Northern Railroad Print

Bull Head Blackfeet Medicine Man 1938 Print

Blackfoot Indians of Glacier National Park Prints

Structo Toy Company began around 1908. By 1915 Structo was producing “Erector Sets” and marketed by A.C. Gilbert. By 1918 Structo started producing their Read Built line and continued to produce some of the finest steel toys in the world.

Surviving the Great Depression, Structo produced toys in the $1.25 - $5.00 range. The surviving toys of this era are very hard to find and will bring quite a bit of money.

Production of steel toys continued until 1942. Structo converted to war production making shells, armor and storage tanks for the military.

After WWII Structo built a state of the art production line that produced large scale toys with rubber wheels, opening hoods and headlight details. Brightly painted toys were produced. Today these trucks, cars, construction vehicles are highly prized and sought after by collectors. With early items bringing in the $100s of dollars.

Structo Toys - Bottom Dump Earth Mover

Nancy Ann Storybook Dolls
Built - 1936 - 1960

Dolls were painted bisque from 1936 - 1945. The dolls made in 1946 and 1947 were bisque with plastic arms. From 1947-1960 the dolls were hard plastic.

Originally incorporated as the Nancy Ann Dressed Doll Company in 1936, the company later became known as the Nancy Ann Storybook Dolls, Inc. in 1945.

The Nancy Ann dolls were often kept on a shelf for “looks” only and not played with. Nancy Ann dolls that have been played with over the years carry a very low value. The dolls that have sat on shelves are highly sought after. This popular series had many variations. The most highly sought after are the early bisque dolls from the 1936-1945 era.

We currently have 8 of the early bisque dolls in our store.

Check us out at: www.historybound.com

Example of Nancy Ann Doll

Welcome to History Bound!

Who are we?

History Bound IS the world of Antiques and Collectibles. We are purveyors of antique books, art, stamps, coins, toys, militaria, sporting goods, jewelry, ephemera, postcards, photographs and other fine and fun items from the past. We also do professional appraisals for the courts, estates, equitable distribution, insurance, and charitable contributions.

Why the blog?

We will be sharing with you our interesting finds that we acquire. We will try to impart some of our knowledge and answer your questions. We find such a wide array of “goodies” that it will be fun for our readers to keep up with our latest treasures. Our experienced staff will be adding in depth detail to many different areas of our business. Be sure to visit us often. We will be posting new items almost daily.