Tintype of a weary-looking woman
Click here to view it larger.
What it is:
Tintype measuring slightly less than 2.5 x 3.5 inches.
What I know about it:
Undated and unidentified.
Comments:
I got a holiday card from my friend Heidi, and it included this photo! Her note said, “I found her in my mom’s house but don’t think she’s a relative.” I feel a little bad judging her on her looks, since she may have been a vibrant woman in real life, but I can’t help thinking she looks a bit weary. In any case, it’s a face with character, and I’m glad to have it.
Pics of Then 
I’m glad you like her. I think she’s one of the few remaining photos from my dad’s collection. I found her fatigue pretty arresting after the streams of perky, happy folk that I see pictures of daily.
I keep thinking that I see a faint effort at a smile, but maybe I’m just wanting to see that.
Yes – it’s a bit of a Mona Lisa smile, I think. I have another photo for you but it’s harder to send . . . soon.
I see a bit of fiesty-ness.
Good. I’m glad there’s a bit of that in there.
I’d love to know the story of how/why she sat for the photo. Was it for herself? Was she planning to give it to someone? Did a relative insist?
Good questions. I have no idea. One interesting thing to note is that the tintype is a one-of-a-kind photo, so she was sitting for a photo that would only produce this one copy. It would not, for instance, be taken with the intention of producing multiple copies that would be mailed to relatives. On the other hand, tintypes were among the cheaper photos, and, being metal, could sometimes survive being mailed better than other types. So it’s possible she sat for several. If so, it would be interesting to compare this to the others.