December 7th Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 88:
Description
This is a rare and compelling Civil War era tintype photograph, presented on a thin sheet of metal, likely trimmed to fit into an oval mat or case. The image depicts a Union soldier in a seated, waist-up pose, wearing a dark, high-collared, multi-buttoned military frock coat and a forage cap. The background adds significant historical context, as it shows an actual military encampment, rather than a studio backdrop, featuring canvas tents, a supply wagon or artillery piece, and most notably, a United States flag prominently displayed behind the soldier. The photographic process and the subject s uniform firmly date this image to the 1861Ð1865 period. Tintypes were inexpensive and durable, making them popular with soldiers to send home. The visible context of the camp setting, including the flag and tents, elevates this piece above standard studio portraits, offering a rare glimpse into the wartime environment of the Union Army soldier.
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