Abrotype comes from the greek word "immortal" this type of early photography was invented in 1854. The image was captured on to glass. Before ambrotypes, was the daguerreotype, this was produced on tin, and you have to angle the image at a 45 degrees in order to see the portrait, this gave these early photographs a ghostly image.
 
This is an  image of a young gentleman with impressive mutton chops sideburn, complete with its original leather case. Ambrotypes were quite a costly thing to purchase in the 19th century, so would have been from a reasonably comfortable houseold.
 
In good condition, but unfortunately missing its cover as is often the case with these pictures.
 
Dimensions: 9.5cm x 8cm.