The albumen printing process gave photographers better reproduction of detail, a wider tonal range, and greater print stability than the salted paper process that preceded it. It remained the photographic process of choice throughout the second half of the nineteenth century. One popular form of albumen prints was the carte-de-visite or photographic calling card. As the form implies, it was often used for personal portraiture, but saw widespread use as a medium for spreading celebrity likenesses, for advertising, and even diseminating images of the Civil War.
Millie-Christine, "The Two-Headed Nightingale"
albumen carte-de-visite; ca. 1860
by Hughes and Company Photographers
The Historic New Orleans Collection, 2007.0117
A. Wangenheim, Photographer, Art Gallery
albumen carte-de-visite; ca. 1878
by Albert Wangenheim
The Historic New Orleans Collection, gift of Mrs. Ashton Fischer and Mrs. Carl Corbin, 1981.369.82
Drummer boy
albumen carte-de-visite; ca. 1867
by H. Spillmann’s Ambrotype and Photographic Gallery
The Historic New Orleans Collection, gift of Mrs. Ashton Fischer and Mrs. Carl Corbin, 1981.369.108
Tradecard for Gaston D. de Hours and Co.
albumen carte-de-visite; between 1875 and 1880
by Gaston D. de Hours and Co.
The Historic New Orleans Collection, given in memory of Harold H. Hinson, 1995.6.2
Sentinel on Battlefield, Siege of Port Hudson, American Civil War
albumen carte-de-visite; 1863
by McPherson and Oliver
The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1992.2.32
Railroad depot, Siege of Port Hudson, American Civil War
albumen carte-de-visite; 1863
by McPherson and Oliver
The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1992.2.26
Revetment and bluff near Baton Rouge or Port Hudson, Siege of Port Hudson, American Civil War
albumen carte-de-visite; 1863
by McPherson and Oliver
The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1992.2.11
Baton Rouge, Siege of Port Hudson, American Civil War
albumen carte-de-visite; 1863
by McPherson and Oliver
The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1992.2.7
Destroyed Confederate cannon and revetment, Siege of Port Hudson, American Civil War
albumen carte-de-visite; 1863
by McPherson and Oliver
The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1992.2.4
Destroyed Confederate cannon and revetment, Siege of Port Hudson, American Civil War
albumen carte-de-visite; 1863
by McPherson and Oliver
The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1992.2.3