How to Remove an Ambrotype From a Case Without Damaging It

Often compared to daguerreotypes, ambrotypes are antique photographs made by under-exposing a glass plate coated in emulsion, bleaching it and placing a black background behind it. While these images look something like daguerreotypes, the process of creating an ambrotype is very different. The images were popular alternatives to the expensive and painful daguerrotype process because they were easier to produce, required less exposure time (and therefore less pain for the subject) and cost much less than their metallic cousins. If you have an ambrotype, it is most likely in a case that doubles as a frame. This case protects the ambrotype and allows it to be viewed against a black background, but it can be removed very carefully.

Instructions

1

Open the ambrotype case and lay it out on a flat surface like a countertop or table. Take care to use a clean surface.

2

Use a knife or small chisel to pry the ambrotype and its brass casing from the wooden case. If you find the ambrotype does not separate from the case easily, go no further. The ambrotype is likely cemented to the case and removing it will certainly damage it, if not destroy it.

3

Flip the ambrotype over onto a clean surface, preferable one that is covered in a soft, clean material, like white cotton.

4

Put on a pair of white cotton gloves or other gloves that will protect the ambrotype from the grease on your hands, which can damage the image. Make sure the gloves are safe for use with photography. The package should say "archival." If it does not, use a different pair of gloves. Do not handle the image without wearing gloves.

5

Pry the brass lip over the black backing of the image up with your knife or your fingers, if it is loose enough. Work slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the casing or the image.

6

Work the ambrotype free from its casing very gently once the lip has been pried up completely. If you are having trouble removing the image, go back to prying the lip up gently and try again. If you are still have trouble, use a blunt tapered instrument, like a plastic sculpting tool, to pry the ambrotype loose from its frame.

7

Remove the black backing with your hands. You will now have a bare glass ambrotype that you can scan or put into a new case, if you desire.

---

Often compared to daguerreotypes, ambrotypes are antique photographs made by under-exposing a glass plate coated in emulsion, bleaching it and placing a black background behind it. While these images look something like daguerreotypes, the process of creating an ambrotype is very different. The images were popular alternatives to the expensive and painful daguerrotype process because they were easier to produce, required less exposure time (and therefore less pain for the subject) and cost much less than their metallic cousins. If you have an ambrotype, it is most likely in a case that doubles as a frame. This case protects the ambrotype and allows it to be viewed against a black background, but it can be removed very carefully.

Instructions

1

Open the ambrotype case and lay it out on a flat surface like a countertop or table. Take care to use a clean surface.

2

Use a knife or small chisel to pry the ambrotype and its brass casing from the wooden case. If you find the ambrotype does not separate from the case easily, go no further. The ambrotype is likely cemented to the case and removing it will certainly damage it, if not destroy it.

3

Flip the ambrotype over onto a clean surface, preferable one that is covered in a soft, clean material, like white cotton.

4

Put on a pair of white cotton gloves or other gloves that will protect the ambrotype from the grease on your hands, which can damage the image. Make sure the gloves are safe for use with photography. The package should say "archival." If it does not, use a different pair of gloves. Do not handle the image without wearing gloves.

5

Pry the brass lip over the black backing of the image up with your knife or your fingers, if it is loose enough. Work slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the casing or the image.

6

Work the ambrotype free from its casing very gently once the lip has been pried up completely. If you are having trouble removing the image, go back to prying the lip up gently and try again. If you are still have trouble, use a blunt tapered instrument, like a plastic sculpting tool, to pry the ambrotype loose from its frame.

7

Remove the black backing with your hands. You will now have a bare glass ambrotype that you can scan or put into a new case, if you desire.

---

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