Framed tintype portraits of an elderly couple – with their ages displayed. Probably U.S.A., circa 1865.

Two sixth plate tintypes, each 70 x 55 mm (sight), in good condition in the original ornate ormolu preservers, mounted side-by-side under cover glass in the original gilded timber wall frame with hook for hanging (a few minor chips to the edges of the frame).

A most unusual pair of Civil War-era tintypes. The photographer has scratched into the negative what appear to be the sitters’ ages: the man has the number ’75’ and the woman ’72’.  For a couple to reach a combined age of almost 150 years would have been quite a rare occurrence in this period. Another possibility is that the golden display frame was made to mark the couple’s Golden Wedding anniversary.