Tintypes were highly popular during the 1860s, particularly from 1861-1865 during the Civil War, when their durable, thin metal base made them easier to transport and to preserve than paper-based photographs. This particular tintype is notable for the hand-coloring used to paint the subjects' tribal dress and ornaments. Unfortunately, the tribal affiliation of the subjects remains unknown. From the Francis Parkman photographs Photo. 170.495
Item from the collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Image use and licensing information: www.masshist.org/library/permissions
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