I posted in another section and it was suggested to me to post here. That maybe someone with a little more expertise in this subject could help. I just copied and pasted the original post.

I have been searching for months on a photograph that I aquired by accident. Or at least I think its a photograph. Its an image/portrait on what I think is milk glass. Then it is background painted with Oil paints. Some of the image is touched up with oil as well.

I found many interesting things on old photography using clear glass plates but it no where near what I have, because of the white glass. I cant find anything on that. The portrait is signed Trinity Court Studio, which I now know was around in the late 1800's early 1900's. They took many of the images of important political people and places of the times. Based in Pittsburgh, PA.

My question is this. What is it? Is it a photograph or is a painting or both?
It is relitivly small, measuring only 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 inches.

I got this portrait unknowingly. I asked for a frame with an old photo of my grandparents. My mother gave it to me on the condition that I would restore and make copies of the photograph. I took it home and when I finally figured out how to open the frame I found this under the photo. Its an incredable piece, although I have no idea of who or what it is. Or even how to take care of it. So Im posting links to some pictures of it and maybe one of you can tell me what it is and about the time frame it was made. What this method of photography was called and if it was common on white glass.

Photo of portrait (http://toad5.inkfrog.com/super/images/image_view.php?image=A_lady1.jpg)

Portrait in the frame (http://toad5.inkfrog.com/super/images/image_view.php?image=A_lady3.jpg)

close up (http://toad5.inkfrog.com/super/images/image_view.php?image=A_lady_close_up.jpg)

Simone,

The links to images didn't work, so I haven't seen the object in question. But I know from my photography background that it's possible to spread liquid emulsion on lots of different surfaces (glass, porcelain, eggshells). Then they are developed just as if the emulsion were on paper.

If you'd like to send me the images, here's my work email:
sally@jacobsarchival.com

Best,
Sally

Absolutly! Thank you so much for your time and interest. I have already sent a few Pics to your email. I hope you get exited like I did when I saw it. Its a great and im beginning to think a rare piece. I'd like to keep it in that perfect condition.

Simone, I read your post this morning and was interested to see the images of your "find". Any chance you could relink the images that didn't work this morning?

Sure, I am trying to put a proper thumbnail just havnt figured out how to do it yet. Ill get it up sometime today. If all else fails Ill just put it up on Yahoo. It will be a bit smaller than I would like but you'll still get to view the image and get a general feel for it.

Well I hope this works, If not than I will do something else.

http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/SimoneV/A_lady1.jpg

http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/SimoneV/A_lady3.jpg

http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/SimoneV/copies_081.jpg

Another thing, I discovered some other marks on the frame. I got out my glasses and magnifying glass and found the number 14 stamped on the inside of the bottom part of the frame and 14 in roman numerals "XIIII" scratched inside the top part of the frame. I suppose to match up the correct top with the bottom. It;s a pretty cool finding I think.

Hello:)
You do indeed have a lovely find, and most likely an important treasure to your family history.
This is a type of photograph that was very popular in the Pennsylvania area as early as 1865 that I know of. I've done some work with a few of them, but they're not incredibly common finds.
The type of photograph is known as an "Opalotype" or commonly a milk glass photograph. There was a photographer in the Philadelphia area I believe, by the name of John Henry Brown, who did Opalotypes, along with daguerrotypes, etc. He was well known for his considerable skill, as his roots were actually in painting miniatures with Arthur Armstrong, a well known artist. I would guess that it is quite possible you have one of JH Brown's pieces.
John painted very limited numbers per year, and I don't think this particular one is one of his earlier pieces, if indeed he is the artist. You'd have to do a bit of research to see if this is his studio. I know that early on he painted using a daguerrotype base before adding Opalotype to his repretoire.

Be aware that John died in 1891, I think, I'd have to look it up, so if this is his work, it predates that period. I'd guess it's most likely a student of his work, because of the high quality, or someone who at least was familiar with his technique. You may wish to contact the Chester Co., PA historical society, and have it evaluated by them, as they have a number of his pieces. Or at least, used to.
Hope this helps.
Teri

Teri, I have a milk glass color photo of my father. It has the look of a real color photograph and was made sometime between 1907-1910 in Monroe City, Missouri. It measures 9 x 6.5 and was made a lady photograher who had a studio there. I removed it from the frame, which had a 1" air space between it and the glass front, and made a digital copy. These are real family treasures!
Alan

Teri, I have a milk glass color photo of my father. It has the look of a real color photograph and was made sometime between 1907-1910 in Monroe City, Missouri. It measures 9 x 6.5 and was made a lady photograher who had a studio there. I removed it from the frame, which had a 1" air space between it and the glass front, and made a digital copy. These are real family treasures!
Alan

Ohh Alan! What a true treasure! That's quite a large Opalotype! They're quite collectable, as they're not as common. What a treasure I'd love to see it!
Teri

Thank you so much for the info, I have been on the computer all day researching. As far as family heirloom...... I dont believe she is of our family. we are hispanic in decent. Wrong side of the tracks for this lady in the photo. I think it was something my grandmother picked up because she liked the frame. She lived briefly in Chicago. Much closer than here. It is definatly from The Pennsylvania though. Everything I have found so far, suggests that.

Maybe an idea about her dress and jewelry. Might give me an answer as to when. It looks much newer that the late 1800's (the clothing style)... At least I think it does. Almost 1920's. What I've read about John Henry Brown he was very detailed with the background aspect of his portraits and this one is textured with oil. Almost globbed on.

Also I read an article today concerning him in a history mag online and it detailed his work and business by year all the way up to his death. Nothing about Trinity Court Studio. I have found alot of photo referances on the studio, most in private or historical collections, Political and historicale places and people, But nill on the biz itself. None of the photograph collections list particular photographers just the studio as a whole.

Looks like I may have to go to the historical society, as youve suggested. Maybe look up the studio. I wonder if they would have records. Did you need a business liscense back then?

Teri, the link below is my digital copy of my father's photo. The lady photographer's last name is Johnson and she is listed among the important early lady photographers by the Smithsonian.
Alan

wow! That is really quite lovely. Such great condition too.

simon,

looks like you're finding some answers. good :)

craig

Well, I think I've done about as much research on the subject as I'm going to. Hope this helps, from here you may want to contact The Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center, which you can find online at:
http://www.pghhistory.org/ And see if they have any data to further validate your photograph.

As for your studio, Trinity Court Studio was in business in the 1920's definately, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Whether or not it was in business previous to this, I can't tell you. I do know they're listed with the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce in 1926. I believe your photo is a bit earlier than this, but not much.

The man who is listed as owning the Trinity Court studio at that time is a man by the name of Ralph Waldo Johnston. As I am a genealogist, I pulled his records, and found the following:
His World War I draft records dated 1918, state he was born May 31, 1874 in Ohio. He was self employed as a photographer at 313 6th Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Whether or not that is Trinity Court Studio? I can't tell you, a historical society in the region should be able to.
On May 3, 1926, he took part in the Golden Rule Trade Tour, which were all Members of the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, who toured the PA area by train, stopping off in various towns, and schmoozing from what I can gather. He is listed at that time, in the Indiana PA paper as being "R.W. Johnston, Photographer -Trinity Court Studio".
Whether or not he owns the studio, again, can't tell you, as by the 1930 census, just 4 years after this, he is a photographer, but is an employee not owner. Photography studios came and went. It was a highly competitive business in your larger cities, of which Pittsburgh would certainly qualify. He may have owned the studio, then merged with a larger business or partnership, or just simply sold it. Who knows. You'll need to find him in the city business directories of the era to find out.
That's about as much as I can, or will, find out for you. In fairness it is a considerable amount of research, and should give you a leg up in helping you document your photograph and its origin. Should just take a wee bit of effort on your part from here on out to finish the photographs documentation.
I wish you luck,
Teri

Teri, the link below is my digital copy of my father's photo. The lady photographer's last name is Johnson and she is listed among the important early lady photographers by the Smithsonian.
Alan

Alan, that is a beautiful photograph and what a treasure! She did exceptional work and had a beautiful eye. How lucky you are to have a piece of her work, and have it be your father as well! Thank you so much for sharing..
Teri

Absolutly amazing Teri. How did you come up with all that in just a short time. Its more info than what I have found in the last 2 months. First I dont know how to research which is probably why I ended up posting here. I spent the entire afternoon on the Historical Soc website yesturday and in the end slowly leaned over on my desk and began to bang my head on the edge. (not really, but I wanted to) It seemed like I was just going around in circles and couldnt get a look at any real info. I will be writting the society in a short while. Hopefully they can be as helpful and inforamative as you have been. I thank you so much for your time and help. In the meantime I'll see if I can figure out how to get further with what you have given me. A great big thanks of gratitude and generousity with your knowledge.