Three Men, One Reading Newspaper, Unusual Antique Sixth Plate Tintype signed print with some old clay grout

with some old clay grout still clinging to one edge

While it reads as black in these photos

with general wear but sound and sturdy

with moons or suns in between

I have long admired these sorts of tiles-- produced in the 18th and 19th century during the Qajar period in Persia--which very frequently feature hunters on horses like this one

Three Men, One Reading Newspaper, Unusual Antique Sixth Plate Tintype signed print with some old clay groutPretty rare to come across a tintype with a newspaper in it, and this one is in such crisp focus one can almost read the headlines! Not quite sure what all is going on between these three, but the uniform of the man standing at center suggests a train conductor or captain which seems logical, perhaps with the two seated men assuming their typical postures on board. And seems perhaps there is some pertinent news in the paper to which our man in uniform