AMBROTYPE OF A CALIFORNIA FRONTIERSMAN BY VANCE

[Shotgun Steve]

Seated 3/4-length sixth plate portrait of a young gentleman dressed in a worn buckskin jacket and dark wool pants with a gold ring on right pinkie finger. Heavy stamped brass cover stamped lower left R.H. Vance/San Francisco and lower left Cutting's Pat./July 4 & 11 1854, mounted in an embossed paper covered wooden case.

[kflach]

Looking at the smooth, clean lines (especially along the hair) it looks like he was cut out of another photo. I wonder how they did this back then? Did they physically cut the negatives?

p.s. Nope, I'm not *in any way* suggesting anyone's used Photoshop on this.

[Dr. Bob]

When he was paying for an expensive photograph, he probably oiled his hair up real good to look his best.