Over the years we at OldPhotographic.com have heard all types of questions on the subject of collecting Antique and Vintage Photography, and because of the popularity of Cased Images, we are quite frequently asked if purchasing Gutta-percha Union Cases are the best types of Antique Photographs to collect, but every time we hear this question we know right off the bat that we are speaking with either a misinformed, or a really new collector of Antique Union Cases. Therefore we have decided to try and set the record straight for those of you who are new to collecting Union Cases, and try to answer the question; just What exactly is a Union Case, and why do some people call them Gutta-percha Union Cases?

Postcard grading scale used on Old Photographic

M - Mint: A perfect card just as it comes from the printing press. No marks, bends, or creases. No writing or postmarks. A clean and fresh card. Seldom seen.

NM - Near Mint: Like Mint but very light aging or very slight discoloration from being in an album for many years. Not as sharp or crisp as Mint.

EX - Excellent: Like mint in appearance with no bends or creases, or rounded or blunt corners. May be postally used or unused and with writing and postmark only on the address side. A clean, fresh card on the picture side.

VG - Very Good: Corners may be a bit blunt or rounded. Almost undetectable crease or bend that does not detract from overall appearance of the picture side. May have writing or postally used on address side.

G - Good: Corners may be noticeably blunt or rounded with noticeably slight bends or creases. May be postally used or have writing on the address side.

FR - Fair: Card is intact. Excess soil, stains, creases, writing, or cancellation may affect picture. Could be a scarce card that is difficult to find in any condition.

Source: J. L. Mashburn and Postcard Collecting.

Tips on how you can properly preserve your photography collection

So you were lucky enough to have acquired a great ambrotype, daguerreotype, cabinet card, tintype, snap shot, photo album, or cdv image, and it's in perfect condition too! Now the question is how do you protect them from damage and preserve the photos for another 100 plus years?

3 cent green tax stampWhy do some old photographs have a stamp on the back?

If you've been collecting carte de visite photos (CDV for short), you've no doubt come across one that has what looks like a postage a stamp on the back, but what was this stamp used for?

The stamp on the backs of some carte de visite photos was actually a tax revenue stamp which was used by the US government to raise funds needed to fight the Civil War.

In the begining of the Civil War the Union government passed the Revenue Act of 1862 which taxed all kinds of luxury goods including such things as playing cards and telegrams.