Scope and arrangement
The collection consists of sixteen tintypes from the 1860s to the 1870s, depicting mainly Black individuals in a posed portrait style. Most of the figures are unidentified, but one image is of actor Ira Frederick Aldridge.
The majority of these tintypes contain portraits of Black individuals and groups, with some images made by Black photographers and Black-owned studios. There are photographs of likely enslaved Black wet nurses and caregivers with white children or babies.
The majority of photographers are unknown, but one photograph identifies the photographer as James Prestley Ball.
The tintypes are arranged by call number and include a physical description of the casing, an approximate date, and the photographer's name when known.