Description: Original circa 1860's-1880's tintype photo showing an actor probably playing the part of Balthaser in a Shakespeare play. The actor is wearing an outrageous conquistador type costume. They are posed sitting in a chair next to a table which has snail type vertical turnings. Sitting on the table is an elaborate hat. There is a large & elaborate fluffy circle of lace forming their collar. They have one hand on a sword that they are wearing at their side. The tops of their shoes have huge rectangular buckles with two square holes near the middle of each buckle. They are wearing an obvious wig. They also have a huge mustache & a goatee that are probably fake. Matt measures 3 3/16 inches by 2 3/16 inches. The approximate total size of the tintype gleaned by carefully feeling the back of the matt is approximately 2 3/4 inches by 2 1/8 inches. The visible size of the tintype showing at the middle of the matt is 2 1/4 inches by 1 1/2 inches. There are a couple of tiny pin speck size flaws on the surface of their hand. There are a few thin raised surface emulsion crinkle lines at the top left corner. There is one insignificant surface bend at the table which does not show unless the tintype is held at an angle in bright light. Otherwise, this tintype is very smooth & glossy. The name of "Senor Balthaser" which is present on the bottom border of the matt is probably the name of the part an actor was playing in a Shakespeare play. We have owned & seen tables like the one in the tintype which were made in the U.S. Also, we have seen some of this same type of table which were probably made in other countries. From the middle ages on the name of Balthaser is found in almost all European countries except the British Isles. The name Balthasar appears as a character in four Shakespeare plays. Included are the following: 1. Romeo and Juliet....Balthasar is a minor character in the part of the serving man to Romeo. 2. The comedy of Errors.... Balthasar is a merchant. 3. Much Ado About Nothing....Balthasar is a singer & follower of Don Pedro. 4. The Merchant of Venice.....Balthasar is a minor character & also appears as the masculine alter-ego of Portia when she takes the name Balthasar in her disguise as a male lawyer from Venice. It is our thought, in all likelihood, that the actor shown in this photo was playing a part in one of these four Shakespeare plays in Spain (or some other Spanish speaking country) when this tintype photo was taken. We do not know whether this is a man or a woman shown in the photo. It is likely, but not certain, that if this is the part of Portia playing Balthasar as the lawyer then it is a woman actor in disguise as a man. A charming tintype photo still retaining it's original paper matt. Quite a rare & fascinating subject for a tintype. This interesting photo came from an old Pennsylvania collection of tintypes which was formed over several decades. Please examine the photos closely & purchase based on your own judgement as to condition & value. This item is inventory #9944. Shipping is free only to addresses within the U.S. The shipping quote to locations outside of the U.S. is an estimate and the actual cost may differ. International Buyers – Please Note: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.
Price: 450 USD
Location: Lampeter, Pennsylvania
End Time: 2024-11-14T22:40:39.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Unit of Sale: Single Piece
Antique: Yes
Image Orientation: Portrait
Material: Metal
Original/Licensed Reprint: Original
Subject: Actor, Actors
Type: Photograph
Format: Tintype
Number of Photographs: 1
Theme: Theater
Time Period Manufactured: 1850-1899
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Production Technique: Tintype
