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How to Make Daguerreotype Cases

A daguerreotype is a type of photograph invented by Frenchman Louis-J.-M. Daguerre in 1839. Daguerreotypes, unlike modern photographs, are all one of a kind. They are made with toxic chemicals on copper plates coated with a layer of silver. Daguerreotypes are very delicate and must be kept behind glass. They cannot be exposed to much light, humidity or extremes in temperature. If you own an antique daguerreotype, you should probably have it preserved professionally. If you are experimenting with making your own daguerreotypes, however, you can try making your own cases.

Things You'll Need

Passport holder
Velvet, 6 inches by 4 1/2 inches
Cotton batting
Needle
Thread
Glass, 5 1/2 inches by 4 inches
Gold foil, 6 inches by 4 1/2 inches
Scissors
Glue

Instructions

- 1
  Trim an oval hole in the center of your gold foil with your scissors. The gold foil will frame your daguerreotype. Make sure that the oval is big enough to display your picture and that the oval is centered in the foil.
- 2
  Place the foil over the glass. The gold foil should be 1/4 inch larger than the glass on every side. Apply a bead of glue along the edge of the glass and fold the foil over the edge. The foil should now be glued to the glass at the edges. Allow the glue to dry completely and smooth down the edges of the foil on the obverse side of the glass.
- 3
  Fold 1/4 inch of the edge of the velvet, with the fuzzy side on the outside folded down onto the flat side, around the circumference of the velvet. Sew this folded edge into place, being careful not to leave any scraps hanging out. Tuck the corners in when you sew so that they look nice.
- 4
  Measure your velvet square against the left side of your open passport holder. The velvet should be exactly the same size. Sew the velvet to the inside flap of the passport holder on the left side, with the edge of the velvet flush with the edge of the passport holder. Only sew the bottom and two sides, and only sew around the edges, following the same pattern you made with your first stitches on the velvet.
- 5
  Stuff some cotton batting between the passport holder and the velvet through the opening at the top. Stuff enough to make the velvet slightly padded, but not enough to distort the shape of the passport holder. Sew the top opening closed.
- 6
  Place the glass on the right side of the passport holder. The glass should be exactly the same size as the right flap of the passport holder, with a small gap between where the glass ends and the velvet begins on the right. Glue the glass to the passport holder, being very careful only to glue around the very edge of the glass on the sides and bottom. Leave the top open. Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours.
- 7
  Slide your daguerreotype behind the glass, facing out. Be very careful not to scratch the photo. The case should shut comfortably and keep your daguerreotype secure.

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