Photo art galleries offered walls of CDVs picturing famous or exotic people and animals. The pictures sold for as little as a nickel. This led to CDVs becoming America's first great collectible craze. That's why your ancestor's family album could easily feature a picture of one of P.T. Barnum's circus midgets, General Ulysses S. Grant, the queen of England, an Indian chief, or assassin John Wilkes Booth, all of which are collectible today. Outdoor and commercial scenes are particularly prized, as almost all CDVs were shot in a studio.
Condition is important.
Photos much be sharp, bright, and not faded, soiled or creased. For more information on cartes de visite, Hyman recommends Tom Harris, a long-time New York City dealer in fine 19th century and early 20th century photographs. Go to Tony Hyman's Web site for more information on tobacco history and other collectibles. He is the author of the Handbook of American Cigar Boxes. Saturday Morning segments with collectibles expert Tony Hyman are available in the collectibles archive .