Photographic Processes: 1839 – 1889

PLATE SIZES: daguerreotypes, ambrotypes and tintypes

Daguerreotype plates were made in standard sizes based on what Daguerre determined to be a “whole plate.” Cases were made to accommodate these sizes. When ambrotypes and tintypes became popular, photographers continued to use daguerreotype cases and therefore employed the same size standards, although variations within the standardized formats were common.

whole plate 6 ½ x 8 ½ in.

half plate 4 ¼ x 5 ½ in.

quarter plate 3 ¼ x 4 ¼ in.

sixth plate 2 ¾ x 3 ¼ in.

ninth plate 2 ½ x 2 in.

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