The ferrotype and how to make it - The Grian Press

24 THE FEKROTYP±:.
The Ferrotype, when first introduced, merely
took the place of the Ambrotype and other posi-
tive pictures; that is, they were made and fitted
in cases and frames, etc., in precisely the same
manner as the Ambrotype, Daguerreotype, etc.,
had been before, but for the Ferrotype there
were possibilities of usefulness and ap})lication
that were not open to its less fortunate predeces-
sors.
There soon began to be a demand for them for
other purpose? than to enclose in cases, frames,
etc. The lightness of the plate and the ability
of the finished pictures to resist the effects of
light, of dampness, and of friction, without any
protection to the surface other than varnish,
fitted them to be carried on the person witliout
cases, and made it possible to send tliem to
friends at a distance through the Post-office, for
which purpose many were made and called
*' Letter-types." They also became very popular
as miniatures for lockets, ])ins, rings, etc., for
which purposes the extreme thinness of the plate
made them peculiarly well adapted, while the
brilliancy and beauty of the picture gives them
the first place in adaptation to such purposes.
In the shape and size of the ^' cartes de visite"
or album picture, they also soon became im-
mensely popular— in this size and also that of
the larger card, the '^ Imperial," the most beauti-
ful and brilliant effects are capable of being pro-
duced; so much so, that when on the occasion of