Tiny Albums, Complete Mystery

One of our mysteries is the origin of a set of two miniature photo albums in the Society’s collection.  Bound in red leather with a gold design stamped on the outside, they measure approximately 1.5”x1.5”.  Inside are pages with oval cut-outs for “gem-size” portraits.  Some of the pages have detached from the binding, and it appears that some of the photographs may have fallen out.  One album’s flyleaf has the initials “MS.”  The other has “25” written on it.  The title page of the “25” album says “Simmons and Co. New Bedford.”  Online searching, so far, has been unsuccessful in dating Simmons and Co. 

The photographs themselves are tintypes.  (The back of one is exposed and is magnetic.)  Online research revealed that these gem-sized photographs were easily obtainable after about 1863.  The pictures were printed in multiples and then cut apart.   They were affordable for people who were not well-to-do. 

Our albums have at least one duplicate picture.  Perhaps they belonged to siblings.  Aside from the style of dress, the initials “MS”, and the fact that the albums seem to have been manufactured in New Bedford, the only identification clues are that two of the children’s first names were labeled – one is (perhaps, the writing is difficult) “Lucie” and the other is Sarah.  We will be showcasing the portraits in these albums in our Unidentified Pictures pages, hoping to learn more over time.   If you can help us with dating or identifying the pictures, please contact us.

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