Estimated Era: Circa 1860–1868 (Civil War Era).

The Sitter: An older gentleman sporting an authentic chin-curtain / chin-beard (a quintessential 1850s–1860s rural American style popularized by Lincoln) with shaggy over-the-ears hair. His hands are huge and weathered—clearly a farmer, tradesman, or laborer.

The Child: Posed on his lap wearing a patterned calico/chintz printed day dress, white undersmock, stockings, and high lace-up leather boots. The child’s cheeks have delicate hand-applied rose-tinted blush, which was very popular during the 1860s. (Note: At this age, both young boys and girls wore dresses, though the center-parted hair swept to the sides is classic for the decade).

Format & Back: Unlike late-Victorian tintypes that were often mass-produced, this has raw, hand-sheared edges, heavy iron weight, and the distinct brown oxidized japanned lacquer on the reverse with visible drying/brush marks.