Daguerreotype?

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I have a small wallet type picture holder.The picture is made of metal and its covered and gold or something is surronding it.It has a picture of a man holding a gun.It looks kind of like a wallet.Can anyone tell me what you call this and value.

-- kyle jones (kyle@allprocom.com), December 09, 1999

Answers

Your description seems to indicate that you have a daguerreotype, an early picture consisting of a silver image on glass, although the piece could also be an ambrotype (a glass negative with a paper background). Daguerreotypes are popular among collectors, but their price range is vast, depending upon the subject matter shown and the image's condition - from $40 to $25,000 (the latter price for a rare half-plate depicting miners). Have yours appraised and please refrain from touching its surface - oils from your fingers can stain. Best of luck to you.

-- Liza Montgomery (liza@thebee.com), December 13, 1999.

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