I have an albumen carte-de-visite (image shown here) photograph featuring three portraits of three different people made by prominent 19th century Wellington photographer, James Bragge in New Zealand. Printed on the right side of the card is 'The Triptographic Cameo Portrait Registered'. I haven’t been able to find out anything about this process/format - does anyone else know?
Many thanks, Lissa
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Hi Lissa
There are 31 instances of the word Triptographic in British historical newspapers for 1850-99 in the British Newspaper Archive www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
Here is a little more information about Arthur Nicholls http://www.childsweb.talktalk.net/studios/nicholls-a.htm
A number of photographers advertised Triptographic Medallion Portraits in 1873, which would appear to be the approximate date of this example by J. Bragge. But one of those photographers, Arthur Nichols of Cambridge, was actually promoting triptographic portraits as early as 1865 (in May editions of the Cambridge Chronicle).
I was told by a descendant of Nichols that he patented this format - three oval portraits of the same or different sitters on one carte - though I've found no record of a patent application in the London Gazette.
Nichols had a studio at Post Office Terrace, Cambridge, c1865-1875. More information about him can be found at http://www.early-photographers.org.uk/Studio%20-%20Nicholls.html.
I hope this is of some help.