Something less well known than gold from the SS Central America wreck
RogerB
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"A large collection of rare ambrotype and daguerreotype photographs were discovered in the wreckage in April - perhaps the property of an early professional photographer returning from making his fortune in the Gold Rush.
"Ambrotypes are a short-lived type of photography on glass plates that were only in popular production for about 10 years in the mid-19th century; the Central America plates include many rare images of gold miners. The plates were left undisturbed on the bottom until a safe conservation plan could be agreed, finally being raised in August 2014."
[Odyssey Marine]
Gold coins with rust stains
[California Gold Marketing Group]
8
Comments
interesting. early photographic methods used some nasty chemicals.
That is both fascinating and eerie at the same time. I'd love to see these displayed with other treasures from the wreck.
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Amazing how the glass plates maintained their integrity. Would have expected more abrasions from the sand and water movement down under.
Evidently the plates were packed tightly together in a case and the bundle remained largely intact. The same for framed photos. But - it remains amazing that they survived at all. The same applies to many of the other artifacts made from soft materials - even textiles.
Very interesting!
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Haunting photograph. I would love to see the entire collection.
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The ambrotypes were printed on a glass plate, and it's amazing that they were able to survive in seawater. They were a step up from the conventional tin type or ferror type from what I have read. I have owned this ambrotype for many years.
Wow, interesting, wonder who they were !!!
Incredible that those were preserved in seawater all this time. Really a haunting image.
Some of the people in the photos (including survivors) have been identified. I don't have the link any longer, but a google search should locate the information.
How long would your cell phone or tablet photos last in sea water? How long would digital photos last if you didn't pay the "cloud" data storage fee?
I would love to TRY seeing how cell phones would last at the bottom of the ocean.
ALL of them.
Deaths and other serious medical issues were very common among early photographers due to the use of these chemicals.
interesting post here
Interesting; yet, chilling...I don't believe this will escape my memory when I look upon any relics from that site.