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Unidentified photographer/creator 
The Melainotype or Iron Plate 
1858 
  
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LL/34668 
  
Published in "Treatise of photography on collodion" by Charles Walkdeck and Peter Neff, Jr, (Second edition, Cincinnati, Longley Brothers, 1858).
 
This new style of Portraiture, although very lately introduced, has already become a great favorite with all who have tried it. Its ease of manipulation, together with its advantages over the Glass and Silver Plate, in requiring neither polishing nor galvanizing, also in being the best suited to fill Lockets, Breast Pins, Finger Rings, &c., are sufficient to bring the Melainotype into general use wherever it may be introduced.
 
It is an established foot that the Melainotype is more durable than the so called Ambrotype, or Glass Picture, and for the following reasons will commend itself to all who will only give it a fair trial.
 
1st. In saving of expense, the operator does not require an assistant to clean and polish the Plate. Simply wipe the plate with Canton Flannel wet with alcohol. This will remove all foreign matter, and cause the Collodion to flow evenly and quickly over the plate.
 
2nd. The backing of black varnish is dispensed with, thus avoiding that contracting and splitting from the film, which so often happens to the Ambrotype; here then is a saving of time, trouble and expense to the operator, in putting up pictures.
 
3rd. They are in no way liable to be broken or injured by a fall; and when soiled, can be washed off in clean water.
 
4th. The surface on which the picture is made, is of such nature, that the Collodion film will adhere more firmly than it does to Glass, consequently, there is not that danger of it leaving the plate during the washing and fixing, especially if the Collodion should be a little rotten. The film will not scale off after it is dry, even though no varnish be used.
 
5th. Neither washing, polishing or other preparations are necessary, the plates as supplied being ready for immediate use, unless they have been improperly handled, when it will be advisable to wipe the plate carefully with a tuft of cotton, slightly damped with alcohol.
 
6th. The Melainotype can be worked along with the Ambrotype, in the same bath, with the same chemicals, &c., without any detriment. Exposure; "working time" slightly quicker than that for glass.
 
7th. The manipulation of the Melainotype, is a modification of the Positive Collodion process, and operators will require only a short practice to produce the most beautiful and pleasing effects.
 
8th. The Melainotype is not affected by light, atmosphere, the sun's rays, nor by rain, neither by change in temperature, and they may be exposed to a temperature of 300¦ Fahrenheit in the process of drying without harm.
 
9th. The Melainotype presents a perfect picture in any light, there being no glare, nor reflection from its surface, such as is experienced in looking at a Daguerreotype. In richness of tone, in brilliancy and softness of expression, it resembles that which is so much admired in paintings on ivory.
 
10th. The plates can be used over and over again, as often as required, without in the least injuring the surface; and lastly, no one can doubt that the Melainotype is as beautiful, in every respect, as any picture that is made.
 
For boldness, they equal the best Oil Painting, and they can in no way be injured, unless by scratching, which would spoil any portrait. They are also susceptible of being highly and beautifully colored, and being flexible and light in weight, they can be safely transmitted by letter* through the mail; altogether the process is most simple, the most expeditious and the most healthy that is known or practiced.
 
"The concentration of the scientific and practical mind of the country, upon the production of pictures by the agency of light, is rapidly simplifying this beautifnl art, and bringing it within the reach of all. Compare the labor of producing Daugerreotype and glass pictures, with the lumbering buff-wheel, the rouge, the rotten.stone, the tripoli, the plumbago, the laborious scouring, scrubbing and buffing, with the simplicity of the Melainotype (the plate for which requires no cleaning or preparation) and the exhausted operator will at once drop his silver tormentor, never to be resnmed. The pictures are taken upon sheet-iron, which has been expressly manufactured for the purpose and then enamelled. The plates, ready to receive the Collodion are in boxes, and they correspond in size to the Dauguerrean plate. Try the Melainotype Plate, and you will not be willing to give it up for any other kind of plate whatever." License Gratis.
Cincinnati, Ohio, June, 1858.
Peter Neff, Jr. 
 

 
  
 
  
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