This is JohnChamberlin. He comes as CDV in fairly good condition with name written on back in pencil. As you all know, I have a thing for beards...

Here is a very nice Civil War-era Daguerreotype of a young man. Notice the shine from his watch and ring. The complete case with red matt is present, but split.

I love to obtain photos of the same person taken either at the same time or even better, at different times.

Here are three original tintypes of the same man. The first two appear earlier than the one of him in profile.

But what really attracted me to this group of photos is the handwritten note on the middle image that says, 'Do you know me'.

I think there is a story here somewhere...

The left image has a photographer's ad on the back: Bon Ton Card/Gem Gallery/J.W. & F.R. Tinsley/2 for 50 cents/Chicago, Illinois.

Two are 4" x 2.5"; the other is slightly trimmed.

When I first saw this Dag, I thought the online seller was mistaken and that it was actually an Ambrotype because the image is so clean and clear and the image looked flat. I didn't buy it right away--it was pricey, and I wasn't sure what I was going to get. But when the price was reduced, I decided to buy it anyway.

Turns out it is a Daguerreotype of a great looking guy. I have to say the condition is remarkably good. This Dag must have been well loved for many years. I'm glad to have it in my collection.

When I bought this Civil War era Daguerreotype of a nice looking blonde haired man in an overcoat, it came with a little surprise. Tucked behind the image in a folded up piece of paper is a lock of blonde hair. On the paper is written the name 'Charlie Sloan' and beneath it looks like a city, but time has unfortunately faded the writing.

One would assume the hair belongs to this gentleman, and that he most likely died shortly after the photo was taken as the hair is all blonde, no gray at all.

It's a great piece in very good condition.

I purchased this CDV from an online seller. The seller was impressed with how tall this guy appears to be. I just liked the way he looked (I've got a thing for beards--it's just my thing) and the outfit and boots that he's wearing. I had an odd experience a few weeks ago. I dreamed this guy was standing in my kitchen.

I purchased this not really knowing what I was going to receive. The online seller thought it was an ambrotype, but couldn't be positive. Because of the flat surface and the glass back, I assumed it was an ambrotype as well.

It's actually a ruby ambrotype of a man. It's in very nice condition for its age.

He has such a lovely face. The photo was bought uncased, and it’s pretty battered. I really need to buy a case for him.

This is one of my favourite pieces in my collection. A fairly large gold mourning pendant houses a daguerreotype of a slightly older well dressed gentleman. The pendant is just under three inches tall and about 2.3 inches wide.



At the back is a repository that may have at one time held a small photo or possibly a lock of hair. It may be empty now or if there was something, time has destroyed it. I have not opened the repository as I'm afraid of breaking it.

This circa 1850's Daguerreotype was a gift last Christmas from my partner. He said it looked like a Victorian photograph of himself. The funny thing is it does look a lot like him. This is a sixth plate Daguerreotype of a very sharp dressed man with a book. Most likely he was someone of importance, perhaps a lawyer or a politican.


Above: I had this dag professionally cleaned and archivally resealed. The before is on the left.

I puschased this daguerreotype several months ago from an online seller. Both halves of the case are present, but the case is split in two with significant wear as you would expect from an object of this age.

The nicely dressed man in the photo is looking off to one side, a bit unusual.

The matt is a lovely purple, so I feel this might be a memorial photo.




He is the perfect inspiration for Daniel Tremont, the eternal former funeral director hero of my latest release SEE ME, which is now available at Leap of Faith Publishing or your favourite online book store.

This is the first photo that I acquired. It came from a seller on the Etsy site. From the moment I first saw it I knew I had to have it. I come from a long line of folks in the funeral industry and I have a fascination of the whole subject of funerals.


When I first held this photo in my hand, I was in love.

At the time, I was only writing contemporary romance, and had recently sold my first novel called Change of Address. But soon I was struck by the idea for a paranormal short story. This idea eventually became my short paranormal Antique Charming, which is now published by Books To Go Now.


As you can see, this lovely cabinet card features the Nichols and Coykendall Funeral Directors and Embalmers. If anyone has any background information on this particular funeral home, please do share it with me.

There is a smaller sign in the window that is difficult to make out, but you can see the words 'Lady Assistant'.

If you look closely, you'll see a wonderful reflection in the glass of funeral carriage tied with elaborate ribbons.

And of course, at the bottom left is our handsome funeral director, ready for business.

On the back of the photo in beautiful scripted handwriting reads: Week of Oct-11-1896.

Such a beautiful piece of history that I treasure!

My name is Natalie-Nicole Bates. I am a published author of both contemporary and paranormal romance. You can visit me and learn more about my writing at my other blog.

This blog is to share with you some of my favourite antique photographs that I have acquired, including those photographs that have inspired some of my books.

Feel free to stop back often.