Tintype of a very fashionable older woman posed before one of the more elaborate backdrops seen with a cased tintype. She wears a beautiful, full black dress with what appears to be velvet highlights on her cuffs and forearms. Rounding out her ensemble is a sheer white fabric with lace cuffs, a lace collar and a lovely carved pendant. The scene shows a row of houses along the water with numerous sailboats and ships. Mountains accent the far horizon. As an added bonus, two gem size tintypes of the woman were tucked in each bottom corner of the preserver at the time of purchase. The image is in outstanding condition with some of the best tonal qualities and contrast seen in a tintype.
The tintype is also stamped melainotype patent, 1856.