Weird guy with feathers!

[marjorie040]

Here's a real challenge!
Who is this man and why is he wearing those (?) feathers?
He must have been someone notable because his picture was put on this (?) tin frame!
I found him curious.
Does anybody know anything about him or the practice of putting pictures on metal?
I'd be grateful to know!
Marjorie

 

[tombstone]

In the early days of photography pictures were printed on metal, called tin types.

 

[epgorge]

I can't see the picture very clearly but probably, it is of a man out west who was posing with native American artifacts to send home to impress those he left behind.
Ep

 

[marjorie040]

This is possibly a clearer picture.
Marjorie

 

[zanes_antiques]

Very interesting. Nice photograph.

 

[welddigger]

Maybe it is one of those guys that tryed to show he knew how to fly. This is his pre flight picture before he jumped of the cliff and died!!!!!! or flied????

 

[bottlenutboy]

its a tin type i do know that they were made in the 1850s although i dont know how late this was carried out? or how early it began

 

[jane8851]

Those are really BIG feathers! Could they be palm fronds or are they definitely feathers? It's a very interesting and strange photo.

 

[trussin]

My guess is he is a "Mummer". It's a weird new years day tradition in Philadelphia. I know they have been doing it for more than 100 years and I have seen photos like it. Its still a guess though. JB in NJ

 

[marjorie040]

Two good suggestions!
I didn't know anything about Mummers....very interesting!!!
Thanks,
Marjorie