December 7th Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 82:
Description
This is an exceptionally rare and historically significant double-sided Carte de Visite CDV photograph that captures the same subject in two distinct poses, a format rarely encountered. The subject is identified by the handwritten note as a Soldier from Palmyra, NY, and the CDV format confirms its dating to the 1860s Civil War era. The first side depicts the soldier in a full-length standing pose, wearing a high-collared, multi-buttoned Union military frock coat over light trousers, leaning on a draped table against a scenic backdrop, and was taken by N. S. Bennett, Photographer, 69 King Street, ALEXANDRIA, VA. Alexandria, Virginia, was a major Union supply and hospital hub, making it a common location for soldiers to have their portraits taken while on duty near the capital. The reverse of the card for this side carries a secondary J. P. Vail s Gallery of Art imprint from Palmyra, N.Y. , indicating the New York photographer likely handled the distribution of copies for the soldier s family back home. The second side presents the same man in a seated, civilian pose, wearing a civilian jacket and waistcoat, providing a dual portrait of the man in his military and civilian identities. This unique, documented cross-state photography and distribution history makes this item a highly collectible piece of Civil War military and photographic history.
Share this lot:
