PHOTOGRAPHS ON LEATHER

Photographs were made on leather in the same way that ambrotypes and ferrotypes (qq.v.) were made, a collodion negative on a base of black-painted leather which had the appearance of a positive photograph. Like the ferrotype, the image was reversed left to right, so that if used for views the buildings and any writing that appeared on them was in reverse and the view was not as seen in real life. For portraiture this was not such a great disadvantage, and the flexibilty of the leather meant the photograph was could be safely sent through the post.

In the directory for 1862 George Freeman advertised that his portraits cost ‘from two shillings and sixpence’ and could be made on glass, paper, leather or talc.

W. Thwaites (Junior ?) was at Wallaroo in 1865 where he advertised ‘Albums, Portraits, Lockets, Brooches, Leather Portraits, suitable for hot climates, fancy cases, &c., taken with despatch.’

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