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CDVS Photography

Carte de visites, often abbreviated as CDVS, are photographs that took the place of business and calling cards in the 19th century. Friends would exchange and collect carte de visites, as they were often self-portraits. In some cases, CDVS were widely distributed images of celebrities or other popular figures of the day.

These small photographic prints were most often collodion on glass negatives printed on albumen paper. The process was initiated by A.A.-E. Disdéri in 1854, who developed a special camera that allowed him to create eight negatives on one eight by ten inch plate, reducing production time and expenses.

The popularity of the CDVS spread rapidly through Europe and the Americas after their introduction, as Disdéri's process was quick, affordable and accessible to the masses. The ensuing spread became known as "cardomania."

Most CDVS photographs were posed portraits either of a single sitter or families, as the studio environment and limitations of the camera did not allow for much creativity. CDVS photographs remained popular until being superseded by the larger format cabinet card in the 1860s.


Quick Facts

  • A. A. E. Disdéri's camera used a collodion wet plate that could slide from side to side, allowing the sitter to change their pose eight different times, all on one negative. The process did not require much skill to achieve these mass-produced prints
  • Gaspard Nadar, a contemporary of Disdéri, also ran a successful studio that specialized in the production of CDVS photographs in Paris. Similar to the inventor of the medium, he hired unskilled labor for much of the mechanical process and printing
  • Gaspard Nadar became so well known that photographers working in the Americas claimed to be affiliated with him, signing his initials to their work

Recommended Items at Auction

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Ulysses S. Grant and Family Cartes-de-Visite
Nov 30, 5:30 PM EST
Ulysses S. Grant and Family Cartes-de-Visite
by University Archives
Est: $200- $300
$700 Bids
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Lincoln Assassination: Boston Corbett CDV By Brady. The Man Who Shot Booth! Extremely Rare Example!
Nov 30, 5:30 PM EST
Lincoln Assassination: Boston Corbett CDV By Brady. The Man Who Shot Booth! Extremely Rare Example!
by University Archives
Est: $600- $700
$2000 Bids
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Rare Giuseppe Verdi CDV by Disderi, Paris
Nov 30, 5:30 PM EST
Rare Giuseppe Verdi CDV by Disderi, Paris
by University Archives
Est: $300- $400
$1600 Bids
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Three Ferdinand de Lesseps Cartes-de-Visite, Including Nadar and Disderi Images!
Nov 30, 5:30 PM EST
Three Ferdinand de Lesseps Cartes-de-Visite, Including Nadar and Disderi Images!
by University Archives
Est: $300- $400
$1600 Bids
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Ulysses S. Grant and Family Cartes-de-Visite
Dec 01, 5:30 PM EST
Ulysses S. Grant and Family Cartes-de-Visite
by University Archives
Est: $200- $300
$700 Bids
bp parity badge
Lincoln Assassination: Boston Corbett CDV By Brady. The Man Who Shot Booth! Extremely Rare Example!
Dec 01, 5:30 PM EST
Lincoln Assassination: Boston Corbett CDV By Brady. The Man Who Shot Booth! Extremely Rare Example!
by University Archives
Est: $600- $700
$2000 Bids
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Rare Giuseppe Verdi CDV by Disderi, Paris
Dec 01, 5:30 PM EST
Rare Giuseppe Verdi CDV by Disderi, Paris
by University Archives
Est: $300- $400
$1600 Bids
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Three Ferdinand de Lesseps Cartes-de-Visite, Including Nadar and Disderi Images!
Dec 01, 5:30 PM EST
Three Ferdinand de Lesseps Cartes-de-Visite, Including Nadar and Disderi Images!
by University Archives
Est: $300- $400
$1600 Bids
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"Texas Jack" Rare Cartes-de-Visite
Dec 01, 5:30 PM EST
"Texas Jack" Rare Cartes-de-Visite
by University Archives
Est: $500- $600
$1600 Bids
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6 Cartes-de-Visite: Politicians And A Temperance Leader By Brady, Fredericks and Anthony!
Dec 01, 5:30 PM EST
6 Cartes-de-Visite: Politicians And A Temperance Leader By Brady, Fredericks and Anthony!
by University Archives
Est: $300- $400
$1000 Bids
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"Texas Jack" Rare Cartes-de-Visite
Nov 30, 5:30 PM EST
"Texas Jack" Rare Cartes-de-Visite
by University Archives
Est: $500- $600
$1600 Bids
bp parity badge
6 Cartes-de-Visite: Politicians And A Temperance Leader By Brady, Fredericks and Anthony!
Nov 30, 5:30 PM EST
6 Cartes-de-Visite: Politicians And A Temperance Leader By Brady, Fredericks and Anthony!
by University Archives
Est: $300- $400
$1000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell CDVS Photography


University Archives

University Archives