Found the People Who Lived at this Cellar Hole!!

charlives · Mar 21, 2014

On my first hunt since January, after digging my fourth copper on the year, I uncovered this ambrotype picture from 1855-65. I went to the town hall today to try and see who owned that property and maybe find living relatives. I'm going to have to budget more time for that effort :laughing7:

Thanks for looking.

el remolino · Mar 25, 2014

I completely agree. That is a really cool, personal find. Being the history nerd that I am, to me, that is better than just about anything. Congratulations!!

TheCannonballGuy · Mar 25, 2014

K1DDO1979, the brass object you asked about was patented (in the US) as a "shoe-toe protector" in 1859. (Thus, it fits right into the middle of the time-period Charlives says the cellar hole dates to.) Many of them -- but not all -- were marked with the Patent-date. See the photo below. The date is Nov. 29, 1859.

streakert · Mar 25, 2014

great time machine, now you can speak to them next time you go they can guide up to more goodies..

The Rebel · Mar 25, 2014

Hey Bud! That is an awesome find!

CMDiamonddawg · Mar 26, 2014

There are always incredible finds that just seem to be ignored ,,, Great Dig

shame it's getting little attention , oh well :rolleyes:

Ahab8 · Mar 26, 2014

That is really an incredible find! I think people get hung up on coins and jewelry and fail to realize how amazing this find really is. There's lots of coins and jewelry out there but that my friend is a one of a kind that tells a great story. Congrats

oxbowbarefoot · Mar 26, 2014

I've been holding off on commenting on this find for a couple days while I did a little research. First, I want to express how amazing of a find this is. It must have been an incredible combination of luck and environmental conditions that allowed this photo to survive. Some of the greatest finds are not those that are worth thousands of dollars, but those that hold historical or cultural significance. I don't think I could put a price on that picture, although I'm certain it has monetarily worth; I think the real value of your find is a connection to the past. Great find, you have earned my Banner vote!

Zodiacdiverdave · Mar 26, 2014

I couldn't agree more with Oxbowbarefoot, that is a banner find without a doubt. I really hope you can track down some of the desendents from that lovely couple in the picture.
I would love to see a good pic of the other side of your large spoon, I think it is much earlier then 1800's but I could be wrong.
Congrats on an awesome find,
ZDD

Steve in PA · Mar 26, 2014

I am flabbergasted that this item survived in such good condition. My Banner vote is in!

relicminer · Mar 26, 2014

Love it!

Kaleb71386 · Mar 26, 2014

Very cool large cent and the picture is awesome

oxbowbarefoot · Mar 26, 2014

I'm curious about the environmental conditions that allowed for the preservation. What is the soil like? Was the site generally dry ground or was it wet ground? Was something protecting it from the elements or ground conditions? What is the dominant type of vegetation? Again, incredible find. I hope it continues to get the BANNER support it deserves.

charlives · Mar 27, 2014

Thank you very much everybody for all the kind comments. Thanks Cannonballguy for the patent info.

Oxbowbarefoot, The photo is not paper or metal, it is a super thin layer on glass. It was also pressed between another layer of glass. This effectively sealed it off from the elements.
This is the wiki description of this short lived technology-
"...one side of a very clean glass plate is covered with a thin layer of collodion, then dipped in a silver nitrate solution. The plate is exposed to the subject while still wet...."
I would not have dug it if it didn't have the thin gold border. One would think more of these would have lasted...even if it was only a ten year window. :dontknow:

The environmental conditions were good for our part of the world. There must be a lot of drainage as the two coins I found there are in relatively good condition. Thank you for your kind support!