Civil War Cartes

Selections from a Specialist’s Collection of Cartes, including seldom-seen and obscure

imprints for the completist

14-1. Gen. Braxton Bragg.

Unusual postwar photograph, with coffee-and-cream tone. A poignant pose, his hair and  beard now white. With ornate imprint on “Vannerson & Jones...Nos. 188 & 77 Main St.,  Richmond, Va.” Double gilt border. Jefferson Davis’ military advisor following misadventures  as a field commander, Bragg’s “unpopularity with practically everyone he encountered greatly  diminished his effectiveness...”--Boatner. Tips diced, nicks at blank top, right, and bottom  edges, traces of revenue stamp on verso, else fine and attractive. Very scarce thus. $90-120 

14-2. Gen. Simon Buckner.

Head and shoulders pose, in uniform, showing the handsome Confederate leader. His name  on verso in old pencil, and again in later ink. In the unenviable position of early surrender at  Fort Donelson to Grant - his close friend since West Point - Buckner later fought with Bragg in  northern Georgia. Postwar Gov. of Kentucky, and 1896 Vice Presidential candidate. Trivial  nick at blank lower left tip, darker band of toning along blank right vertical edge of mount, a  trifle light, else about fine. $80-110 

14-3. Gen. “Frank Cheatham.”

Extremely scarce Anthony variant, with informal usage of Benjamin Franklin Cheatham’s  name and double border in still-lustrous gold leaf. Issued in New York, 1862 - not surprising,  considering the depth and breadth of pro-Confederate sentiment in the New York City area.  Sought his fortune in the Gold Rush; Cheatham led throughout the war. Small fragment of  emulsion torn at blank left but present, several mid-brown spots, else very good. A notable  example. $85-115

14-4. Gen. Richard Ewell.

Rich brown on pale ivory photograph superimposed on engraved uniform coat. With rare  pictorial imprint of “The Monumental Book Store...Baltimore / W.A.F. Richstein,” with large  (though light) view of the Monument. Losing his leg at the Battle of Groveton, Ewell went on  to fight at Gettysburg - strapped into his saddle. Lee’s Lieutenants states his exploits “would  have added to the fame of Stonewall himself....” Tap at blank upper left tip, ding at upper  right, else fine, clean, and the first we have handled of this issuer. $110-140 

14-5. Gen. William J. Hardee.

Highly unusual example with extensive hand-embellishment of his epaulettes and fringes in  rich gold leaf. By J. Gurney & Son, “Photo Graphic Artists,” N.Y. “Gen. Hardee” in old ink on  lower portion and on verso, judged written c. 1890, both evidently written over an erased  misidentification! Number “28” at top mount. Possibly a retained sample of the photographer,  numbered and identified long after the war. Prewar commandant of cadets at West Point, it  fell to Hardee to try to stop Sherman’s March to the Sea. Very minor tip wear, else about fine.  A conversation piece. $100-130

14-6. Gen. John Bell Hood.

Dour pose of the distinguished Confederate, his thick beard adding to his gravitas. All-over  aqua imprint of “C.D. Fredericks & Co., 587 Broadway...Habana...Paris.” Intriguing hint of pale pink wash to enliven his cheeks and  coat. Commanded Magruder’s cavalry, then the Texas Brigade; one arm crippled at Gettysburg, then losing a leg at Chickamauga, Hood  did not surrender until May 31, 1865. “He loved to fight, and he knew how to make men follow him...”--Boatner. Very fine. A superior  example. $120-150

14-7. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee.

Striking photograph of this “other” Lee, with elegantly styled handlebar moustache and long curly beard. “Published by The New York  Photographic Co., No. 453 Broadway...,” the text a continuous ribbon beneath Union patriotic stars-and-stripes shield. “Fitzhugh Lee”  in contemporary ink at lower portion, few letters trifle smudged by writer’s hand, with faint traces of ink at lower right. Interesting  photographer’s miscut spur at upper right, imparting an ear to emulsion; the studio may have had a customer waiting, and cut and  mounted this photograph under pressure. Nearly ejected from West Point while his uncle, Robert E. Lee, was Superintendent, Fitzhugh  fought with J.E.B. Stuart and Stonewall Jackson with distinction. A Major General before the age of 28, Fitzhugh was complemented by  Freeman as a “laughing cavalier.” Very soft crease at lower right, only detectable from verso, else fine and a multi-featured example  with seldom-seen imprint. $100-130 

14-8. Gen. R.E. Lee.

Exquisitely flattering pose, imperceptibly combining pen, ink and brush work on a photograph, with etched uniform, the whole printed  on a cream card. Imprint “D. Murphy, 586 Broadway, N.Y.” Double raspberry-red border. Based on Mrs. Lee’s favorite pose, originally  taken by photographers Cogswell & Mennin of Richmond (but not so indicated on this Northern reissue). Minor toning, else about very  fine. A splendid Lee portrait indeed, of one of the foremost men of the South - and of America. $120-150 

14-9. Gen. John B. Magruder.

Very scarce full-height standing pose, hastily trimmed and hand-finished by obscure issuer, and mounted flush at left, right, and  bottom, giving initial impression that image was darkroom-printed directly on cream mount. Interesting superimposition of Magruder,  holding cap and sword, atop faux camp scene rendered in pen and ink. Blind-embossed “Bendann Bros., Balto.” / “Copyright Secured”  applied with two separate devices. Nicknamed “Prince John...for his courtly manner” (--Boatner), Magruder was the victor at Big  Bethel, the first land battle of the Civil War. “Bee swarm” speckled staining along left vertical, but blending into foliage design; dash-  scrapes of an old clip, only detectable under magnification, and edge tear, but all defects away from pose, and otherwise very good, and  a Magruder carte almost certainly lacking in all but the most advanced collections. Full-height cartes of anyone are desirable. $65-90 

14-10. Gen. Humphrey Marshall.

Richly contrasted photograph, his name printed on lower mount. A relation of John Marshall, served as Minister Resident to China  before the Civil War, and in Congress as both a Whig and Know Nothing. Clashing with future Pres. James A. Garfield along the  Kentucky-West Virginia border, Marshall resigned the Army in 1863 to serve in the Confederate Congress. “So well known was his  leniency, that an officer of his staff made a standing offer to eat the first man the general should shoot for any crime”--Boatner. Scuff at  blank upper left, two lower corners diced, wavily trimmed by hand at left and right, presumed by studio, and not affecting image, else  very good. Very scarce. $120-150

14-11. Gen. John Hunt Morgan.

Carte-size mezzotint portrait in darkest brown-black, on ivory card, with purplish Grecian double border. No imprint, and an obscure  item. Namesake of the famous Morgan’s Raiders, he was captured, escaped, but killed in action in 1864. His exploits, and martyrdom,  render his reputation conspicuous to this day. Superficial scrapes of a clip or pin along short length of lower left border, minor wear,  else about very good. $70-100

14-12. Gen. Sterling Price.

Flattering photograph, with sepia halo. Double red rule border at left and top; trimmed at right and bottom. Intricately ornate  miniature Baroque cartouche-imprint on verso, “Earle’s Galleries & Looking-Glass Ware-Rooms, 816 Chestnut St., Philadelphia.” An  antebellum Governor of Missouri, Price recruited a 5,000-man force supporting the South, though he did not join the Confederacy  until the following year. Vanquished in his 1864 raid on Missouri, Price escaped to Mexico, his hopes for a Confederate sanctuary  dashed when Maximilian was court-martialed and shot. Diced corners, pleasing toning to warm cream and browns, very minor  handling evidence, else fine. Rare and charming imprint. $80-110 

14-13. Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith.

Uncommon pose, a headshot looking earnestly over photographer’s shoulder. Infrequently seen variant imprint of “Charles D.  Fredricks & Co., ‘Specialite,’ 587 Broadway, N.Y.,” with only short typographic curlicue above and below. Wounded while commanding  at 1st Bull Run, he “married the girl who had made him a shirt on the joking promise that whoever made the garment would get the  handsome colonel who went with it”--Boatner. Vicksburg nicknamed “Kirby Smithdom”; credited with surrendering the last  Confederate force - the Trans-Mississippi Dept. - on June 2, 1865. A fascinating personality. Pale tan mottled toning, apparently from  original glue, else fine. $90-120 

14-14. Gen. (J.E.B.) Stuart.

Lifelike carte-size steel engraved portrait with wonderful likeness, Stuart’s outsize moustache and layered beard arresting in  appearance. By Elias Dexter, 554 Broadway, N.Y. Double pink rule border. “Called ‘Beauty’ by his West Point classmates...his personal  bravery, endurance, panache, and high good humor made him a magnificent cavalry leader...”--Boatner. Dime-size stains at four  corners from corresponding old mucilage on verso, else very good. Easily the most charismatic of the present offerings. $80-110 

14-15. “Major (Robert) Anderson, U.S.A.”

Printed on lower mount, “Taken at Fort Sumter Feby. 8, 1861.” By E. Anthony, N.Y., 1861. A superior  example, the image toned to lovely soft mocha tortoise-shell, Anderson’s portrait silhouetted by sepia  halo. Undoubtedly sold as a patriotic keepsake following the bombardment of Fort Sumter and  ensuing eruption of the war two months hence, this with only minute suggestions of handling, else  superb. $120-150

14-16. Maj. Gen. N.P. Banks.

Crisp photo of the distinguished Union General who became “a victim of (Stonewall) Jackson’s  brilliant strategic diversion” early in the war. “At Cedar Mountain he was outgeneraled and defeated  again by Jackson”--Boatner. Governor of Mass. in the fateful years 1858-61, he served in ten  Congresses. Some background stains, apparently from original mounting glue to carte, corners diced,  tiny chips along ½” of blank left margin of emulsion, else good plus. $55-75 

14-17. Gen. Frank P. Blair.

Appealing postwar pose from the year of his Democratic run for Vice  President, prepared for his campaign. Seated at right angle to camera, on chair with fringed armrest,  wearing jacket with velvet collar. Printed caption. By J. Gurney & Son, with seldom-seen usage “707  B(roa)d. Way,” N.Y., 1868. Founder of Free-Soil Party in prewar Missouri, Blair organized the Wide-  Awakes, “instrumental in saving Mo. and Ky. for the Union by directing, without authority, capture of  the St. Louis arsenal...As a result of private means spent in support of the Union he was financially  ruined at the end of the war”--Boatner. Two upper tips lacking, uniform pale caramel toning  imparting pleasing patina, and generally good plus. A very scarce personage, with political  association. $90-120

14-18. Gen. Don Carlos Buell.

With imprint of “Jos. E. McClees, Artist, 910 Chestnut St., Philadelphia.” Succeeding Sherman as  Commander of Dept. of the Ohio in 1861, Buell helped secure victory at Shiloh, probably the basis for  issue of this 1862-dated photo. His fortunes soon changed, with investigation of his retreat from  Tennessee. The report was never published, and despite attempts by Grant to have Buell reinstated,  he resigned in 1864. Several foxing stains, wear at tips and blank top edge, else good plus. $65-90 

14-19. Gen. A.E. Burnside.

A superlative example, showing the bewhiskered Burnside in full-standing pose, dress uniform, his  white-gloved hand on his sword. Bold silver-grey imprint, “Published by E. Anthony, 501 Broadway,  N.Y...from Brady’s National Portrait Gallery.” In old pencil on verso, “As Brig. Genl.” Antebellum  inventor of breech-loading rifle, Burnside quickly enjoyed military notice, twice declining the offer to  command Army of the Potomac. “His undistinguished leadership of McClellan’s left wing at Antietam  was (the) main reason for Lee’s escaping annihilation”--Boatner. Finally accepting command of Army  of the Potomac, he was soon relieved - for failure at Fredericksburg, and yet again after Petersburg.  Very minor wear at upper left tip, light marginal toning, else a crisp, handsomely contrasted example  of this desirable pose - with an uncommon Anthony variant imprint. $130-160  

14-20. Gen. Daniel Butterfield.

Fine photograph of the composer of “Taps.” Upside-down imprint on verso, “Joseph Ward, 165  Washington St., Boston.” Wounded at Gaines’s Mill, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor  decades later, in 1892. Butterfield was the Army of the Potomac’s Chief of Staff during  Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, where he was wounded again. In charge of Sherman’s funeral, the  Washington Centennial in 1889, and Dewey’s 1899 return welcome after Manila, Butterfield also found the time to design the system of  corps badges. Light tan toning, his name in old pencil on front and verso, else a fine example of this underappreciated figure. $80-110 

14-21. Gen. John A. Dix.

Expressive pose of the General who first fought in the War of 1812 – at age 14 – with a commission. Inspired by his friend John C.  Calhoun to study law, years later as the drums of war approached he would issue his famous American Flag Dispatch: “...If anyone  attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot.” An interesting image, a photograph of his head perfectly positioned  atop an engraving of his uniform, accented with watercolor and pen-and-ink, all within the emulsion. Somewhat light, but with warm  creamy tones, corners diced, minor delamination at blank upper left, else very good. $70-90 

14-22. Gen. John C. Frémont.

Choice photo, with large pictorial imprint, “Earle’s Galleries / Looking Glasses / 816 Chestnut St., Philadelphia,” surrounding charming  cartouche showing cherub holding a mirror, while a little girl - also with wings - paints Earle’s name on the glass. Pre-Gold Rush Gov.  of California, Frémont was court-martialed for defying the authority of Washington to set up a government. The first Republican  candidate for President, his Civil War department “attracted a motley collection of fancily dressed and useless staff officers, mostly  Germans and Hungarians...”--Boatner. He triggered a firestorm of controversy by freeing slaves and issuing his own emancipation  proclamation before Lincoln’s. One biographer wrote, “his every action was dramatic.” Tiny tap at upper left tip, else bright, fresh, and  superb. In a collecting specialty in which most items have imperfections, this example is nearly unsurpassable in condition. $125-150 

14-23. U.S. Grant and Family.

Charming horizontal carte of Grant and family, probably early in his first term as President, shown with his wife and four children,  Nellie quite young. Faint waterstains, but blending into texture of wallpaper; ivory toning, else very good. Around this time, Grant’s  White House became one of the most-watched buildings in the world with the arrival of Valentino Melah, its new Chef and Steward.  Builder and still owner of the Cohasco building in Yonkers, Melah’s spectacular hospitality and 29-course meals helped usher in the  Gilded Age. $70-90

14-24. Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant.

Piercing, handsome gaze of Grant, identified on lower mount as “Maj. Gen.” in contemporary ink, but the pose evidently earlier in the  war, his hair not yet greyed. Ornate Anthony imprint, “Manufacturers of the best Photographic Albums,” with 2¢ orange revenue  stamp. Double copper ruled border. Faint toning evidence of glue-less album mounting corners, upper right tip creased, probably from  position of carte as page was turned repeatedly, inscription light, vertical blemish barely brushing right shoulder, perhaps a bead of  gum from a facing envelope(?), light uniform toning, else good plus. $65-90 

14-25. Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck.

Stately visage of Lincoln’s military advisor and Gen. in Chief, replaced by Grant for his “lack of strategic sense.” Known as “Old Brains,”  Halleck “had the reputation of being the most unpopular man in Washington,” still playing “a major role in the administration of the  Civil War”--Boatner. Lovely pictorial imprint of “Earles’ Galleries / Looking Glasses...Philadelphia” (see Frémont above for details).  Trivial tap at upper left tip, else bright, fresh, clean, and excellent. $100-130 

14-26. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock.

Heroic, richly toned photo of the intrepid fighter, severely wounded at Gettysburg, and one of fifteen given the Thanks of Congress for  that battle. 1880 Democratic Presidential candidate, his loss to Garfield possibly saving his life. Imprint of Joseph Ward, Boston.  Lightly tapped upper tips, else uniform cream toning, and fine. $70-100 

14-27. Gen. Samuel P. Heintzelman.

Thoughtful pose of the wizened commander, his arms crossed. Capturing Alexandria, Va. in May 1861, and wounded at 1st Bull Run, he  saw wide service, though “one who greatly magnified the difficulties before him”--Boatner. Meticulously removed from an old mount,  with loss of the thin back ply of the card; his name in contemporary ink on lower portion, faint ghosting of a facing item, else clean,  very fine, and attractive. $60-80

14-28. Gen. Joseph Hooker.

Early, almost-candid pose, seated and looking left, unfamiliarly handsome. Anthony-Brady imprint,  with 1862 Brady copyright in gold on lower mount. Actually snubbed repeatedly when offering his  services in 1861, he went on to serve widely. Dubbed “Fighting Joe” to his displeasure by  newspapermen, he made media history, ordering that all news dispatches no longer be filed  anonymously or with initials only. Becoming Commander of Army of the Potomac, he was relieved six  months later after his defeat at Chancellorsville. Tap and minute edge tear at lower right tip, some  superficial table-toning at left half, old green smudge at upper right, else still an infrequently-seen  pose with a desirable imprint, and good plus. $70-90  

14-29. Hooker a “Used-up Man.”

In stark contraposition to preceding lot, a carte of Gen. Joseph Hooker, here looking like an entirely  different person. A biographer seeing him in 1864 wrote, “...red-faced...with a lacklustre eye and an  uncertainty of gait and carriage that suggested a used-up man...For all that, he must once have been a  very handsome man”--Lyman, in Boatner. Crease at blank lower left bottom edge, varied insect spots  not affecting pose, some tip wear, else good. A dramatic contrast to the preceding lot. $55-75 

14-30. Maj. Gen. Philip Kearny.

Bold photograph in profile of the namesake of Kearny, N.J., who lost an arm in the capture of Mexico City, then fighting in Italy.  Returning to America to command the first N.J. brigade of the war, he was killed at Chantilly in Sept. 1862. “He had ridden accidentally  into the enemy lines and, called on to surrender, tried to fight his way out...”--Boatner. Blue double-rule border, trimmed at bottom.  Neatly removed from mounting on an old album page, with loss of the thin back ply of card; soft crease at upper left tip, stray light  pencil mark on lower mount, minor handling evidence, else about very good. A wonderful likeness. $80-110 

14-31. Gen. Hugh Kilpatrick.

Standing pose, thighs-up, of “Kill Cavalry” Kilpatrick, the Union’s first Regular Army officer wounded in action in the Civil War, in its  first land battle, Big Bethel. True Brady photograph, showing Kilpatrick beside ornately carved chair, his hand in coat pocket, sideburns  besting those of Burnside. Steeply diced corners, mount trimmed across top and in two scissor-snips at bottom, possibly done to fit in  admirer’s album, reducing height to 3-3/8” and removing about 20% of blue 2¢ revenue stamp on verso, else a sharp, rich image with  fine contrast, and highly satisfactory. “...A dare-devil recklessness that dismayed his opponents and imparted his own daring to his  men...”-- Cox in Boatner. Because of trim, $50-75 

14-32. “Pres. Lincoln and his Family.”

Late carte portrait of Lincoln, the First Lady, and their two older sons, the recently departed Willy in a painting on the wall. Wear at  upper tips, blemish at top center edge, probably from careful pinning at the time, light uniform edge toning, else about very good, with  pleasing coffee-and-cream patina. • With, carte of Mary Lincoln, flowers in her hair. “Mrs. Lincoln” printed on verso, upside-down.  Two scratches at blank top center of emulsion, and one at bottom, probably from old display in an admirer’s home, light soiling in  upper field, minor tip wear, else good plus. $70-90 (2 pcs.) 

14-33. Gen. Jno. H. Martindale.

Charismatic 1862 photograph of this interesting personage who resigned in 1836 - at age 21 -  disappointed that he could not enter the Corps of Engineers. Investigated on charges that he  influenced his men to surrender at Malvern Hill, exonerated, and breveted Maj. Gen. for his service at  that same battle. Martindale resigned a second time - in 1864, because of ill health. Imprint “J.E.  McClees, Artist, 910 Chestnut St., Philadelphia.” Interesting contemporary pencil notaton,  “Martindale, July 9, 1862.” Half-moon discoloration at lower right blank portion of emulsion, hairline  stain at top right, very minor tip wear, else fine. $70-90  

14-34. Gen. George B. McClellan.

Splendid pose of the “Young Napoleon” who would oppose his friend Abe Lincoln in the 1864  Presidential race. Starting the war as Maj. Gen., at just 35 years of age, he quickly became  conspicuous. Undertaking “with marked success the complex task of organizing and training the  Union armies...the administration became increasingly dissatisfied with his reluctance to march  against the enemy...‘Sending reinforcements to McClellan is like shoveling flies across a barn,’ Lincoln  (said)”--Boatner. No imprint, but old pencil initials “H.C.L.” on verso. Ivory smudge at lower left  corner of mount, perhaps a stray stroke of photographer’s glue brush, else very fine-plus. $90-120 

14-35. Gen. George G. Meade.

Earnest portrait, gazing into the distance. Stylish purple imprint, “Published by The New York Photographic Co., No. 453 Broadway...,”  the text a continuous ribbon beneath patriotic stars-and-stripes shield. Once considered as a potential Presidential candidate - but  disqualified because of his nativity in Spain - Meade “showed remarkable courage in accepting battle at Gettysburg, a mere two days  after he had assumed command of the army...”--Boatner. Four remnants of robin’s-egg-blue mounting paper on verso, not affecting  large imprint; ding at lower right edge, very minor tip wear, else fine-plus and clean. $80-110 

14-36. Gen. James Birdseye McPherson.

Engaging seated portrait, by Anthony-Brady, with a bemused expression. Grant’s Chief Engineer, commander at Vicksburg, killed at  age 35 while leading Army of the Tennessee at the Battle of Atlanta. Butterscotch-brown tones, lending much patina. Bookworm  nibbles along bottom and lower right edges of mount, imparting slightly bowed contour, darkened “clouds” at upper portion of image,  perhaps from handling, else about very good. A desirable photograph. $80-110 

14-37. Brig. Gen. John Pope.

Standing pose, knees up, his hand tucked into uniform coat. Anthony-Brady. Double-rule border, the  gold leaf interestingly graduated to green. Commanded Army of the Mississippi in the siege of  Corinth. Lincoln’s unilateral choice to head the new Army of Virginia, “Pope’s Address” alienated his  troops “and aroused R.E. Lee’s personal animosity by prescribing harsh treatment of Southern  sympathizers...When faced with the combination of Lee’s strategy and Stonewall Jackson’s tactics...he  lost complete control...”--Boatner. Pleasing texture, almost like gently worn calf, average tip wear, else  very good. Very scarce. $120-150

14-38. Gen. William Rosecrans.

Flattering standing pose, calves-up, sword in hand, against  background of bank of a stream rendered in wash. “J.H. Bufford,  Print Publisher and Lithographer, 313 Washington St., Boston -  From his Original Subject.” Dated 1861, probably in the period  commanding the Army of Occupation and Dept. of West Va. Known  for his “testy disposition and hot temper,” his defeat at Chickamauga  cost him his post. “Old Rosy” was “able to do without sleep almost  entirely during a campaign”--Boatner. 1¼ x 2¼ delamination at upper portion of verso, possibly  where removed from mounting, tap at top edge, else highly attractive, about V.F., and pleasing for  display. $100-130

14-39. Gen. John Aaron Rawlins.

Rare photograph of Grant’s principal staff officer and most intimate and influential advisor - with an  uncanny resemblance to a young Al Pacino. “As Grant rose in rank and responsibility, Rawlins was  promoted accordingly...”--D.A.B. in Boatner. Explored proposed Union Pacific route; one of camp  sites named for him – Rawlins, Wyo.; Grant’s postwar Sec. of War. Anthony-Brady. Misidentified in  contemporary ink on lower mount as “Gen. Carter, Tenn.” Heart-shaped flake of emulsion lacking at upper right, not affecting portrait,  corners diced, else dark, very good, and the first Rawlins photograph we have handled in many years. $150-180 

14-40. Gen. Winfield Scott.

Seldom-seen pose of a younger Scott, as Lt. Gen. Born a year before ratification of the Constitution, when the Civil War broke out Scott  had already been the Army’s Gen.-in-Chief since 1841. “The only non-West Pointer of Southern origin in the Regular Army to remain  loyal to the Union”--Boatner. Imprint of “Charles Taber & Co., Manufacturers, New Bedford, Mass.” Top and bottom of mount  trimmed, and corners diced, probably to fit more easily in admirer’s album, uniform golden brown toning, else about very good. $70-  100

14-41. William H. Seward.

Superior full-frame photograph of this first-year member of the Republican Party; his place on the list  of 1860 Presidential hopefuls taken by Lincoln. It is sometimes overlooked that he was also attacked  on the same night as Lincoln, though he survived to purchase Alaska. Light blue double rule border  trimmed at left and right, possibly as issued, when cut from a large sheet preprinted with frames.  Pleasing chocolate brown tones, fine-plus and uncommon. $80-110  

14-42. Philip H. Sheridan.

Riveting full-torso photograph of one of the Union’s most celebrated Generals. Deep umber tones,  with evocative grain reminiscent of larger-format field images often reproduced in books. Imprint of  “Philada. Photographic Co., 730 Chestnut St....” Name pencilled on lower mount in fine old hand.  Trivial edge toning, else about very fine. A superior example. $120-150

14-43. William T. Sherman.

Very scarce variant, showing Grant’s successor as Commander-in-  Chief surrounded by a depiction in miniature of the heat of a battle,  rendered in wash. No imprint. Some shallow rounding and wear at corners, probably from its  residence in an old album, coffee-and-cream toning, else good plus. Seldom seen thusly; a collection  of Union Generals would be incomplete without this variety.”In (the Atlanta Campaign) and his  subsequent March to the Sea and Carolinas Campaign, Sherman demonstrated a military talent that  has led some historians to rank him as the top Federal commander of the war”--Boatner. $100-130  

14-44. Sherman Companion Portrait.

Companion to the above: the identical pose, but against plain ecru field, and with his lowest three coat  buttons cropped by photographer. Unusual advertising imprint: “Album Flowers, very choice, price  50¢ per set. Foreign Birds, very Beautiful, 50¢. Fruit and Flowers of the Holy Land, very desirable,  50¢. Pocket Albums, holding 16 Cards, Only 75¢. G.W. Tomlinson, 221 Washington St., Boston.” In  deepest brown, with crisp detail. Light wear at upper right tip, else clean and very fine. $90-120 

14-45. Franz Sigel.

Uncommonly direct likeness of the former German Army soldier. Stylish purple imprint, “Published  by The New York Photographic Co., No. 453 Broadway...,” the text a continuous ribbon beneath  patriotic stars-and-stripes shield. Bend at blank lower right tip, some pale foxing, else good plus.  “Although he was an inept general, his ability to rally the German element to the Federal colors had  been important...”--Boatner. Yet ironically, of all the hundreds of Union Generals, his name has  remained in the forefront to generations of New Yorkers today: the park overlooking both the old and  new Yankee Stadiums in The Bronx is named for him. $70-90  

14-46. Henry W. Slocum.

Pleasing portrait of Sheridan’s West Point roommate. Severely wounded at 1st Bull Run, later leading  at Gettysburg, Slocum submitted his resignation when ordered to serve under his nemesis Hooker. By  the hand of fate, Slocum ultimately succeeded Hooker, commanding the Army of Georgia in the  March to the Sea. Interesting upside-down Anthony-Brady imprint. Internal flapped tear at blank  upper right of image but repairable, parts of one of the double gilt rules slightly trimmed to fit a  period album, semi-matte finish probably imparted by type of glue used by Anthony, else about very  good. $55-80

14-47. William F. Smith.

Very scarce and uncommonly crisp portrait of Maj. Gen. “Baldy” Smith. With equally scarce imprint  of “Bogardus Photographers / 363 Broadway cor. Franklin St. / New York,” eagle atop a stylized  globe, against a field of stars. Double gilt border. Smith’s criticism of Army leadership after  Fredericksburg was accepted by Lincoln, but inflamed Congress to try to relieve him of duty. Relieved  again after Petersburg, he was considered “a man of great military ability, and several times  considered for the command of an army...(but) he had a fatal personality defect...a contentious  controversialist who spent most of his time criticizing the plans of other generals...”--Williams in  Boatner. Trivial wear at two tips, else very fine and attractive. $100-140  

14-48. George H. Thomas.

Photograph of “The Rock of Chickamauga’s” head expertly positioned atop a hand-drawn uniform  coat. “Published by The New York Photographic Co., No. 453 Broadway...,” the text a continuous  ribbon beneath patriotic stars-and-stripes shield, this example in dark grey. Serving, with a bevy of  future Confederate Generals, under his fellow Virginian Robert E. Lee before the war, Thomas was  wounded in the face by an arrow. Remaining loyal to the Union, he accumulated, “by his  eccentricities, one of the most formidable lists of nicknames in the U.S. Army,” including “Old Tom,”  “Slow Trot,” “Pap Thomas,” and “The Rock of Chickamauga”--Boatner. Corners neatly diced to fit a period album, slightest toning, else  very fine. $80-110

14-49. John E. Wool.

Handsome portrait of the venerable General, who had long ago fought gallantly at Queenstown Heights – in 1812! Serving  continuously, Wool joined Gen. Zachary Taylor in the Mexican War, and was commanding Dept. of the East when the war erupted. By  1862 he was outranked by only three other men: McClellan, Frémont, and Halleck. His name in contemporary ink on lower mount.  Felt-finish blank verso from expert removal from album, leaving no thin spots, some faint blind superficial rub marks only seen at  certain angles, else excellent, clean, and with flawless corners. $65-90 

14-50. John Gray Foster.

Rare carte of the Army engineer who served under Anderson during the bombardment of Fort  Sumter. Commanded Depts. of N.C., Va., Ohio, and Dept. of the South, rising to Maj. Gen. Standing  pose, shown from knees up, cap in hand. Anthony-Brady. Three corners gently rounded, one diced,  else about very fine, with pleasing rich brown patination. An elusive name with dramatic South  Carolina association. $140-180

14-51. “Officers of our Navy, 1861.”

Early, composite carte with Commodore Silas H. Stringham in  center, ringed with miniature oval photographs of eight other Naval  officers: Lt. Dan. L. Brain, Com. S.F. Du Pont, Capt. W.H. Ward,  Capt. C. Ringold, Capt. A.H. Foote, Com. Saml. Breese, Com. T.A.M.  Craven, and Com. Hiram Paulding. Probably prepared following Du  Pont’s promotion to flag officer in Sept. 1861, but prior to  Stringham’s retirement in Dec. of that year. Foote died in 1863 of a  Fort Donelson wound. Highly unusual verso, comprising a somewhat primitive, large solid black oval  with the words “Carte de Visite” in white, the whole surprinted to conceal the photographer’s imprint,  “American News Co... Nassau St., N.Y.” Because the prominent date “1861” and the retirement of  Stringham rendered the carte stale merchandise, the original seller probably did not wish their name  associated with it. Corners diced to fit album, some warm ivory mottled toning, soft crease at blank  upper left edge, else about very good. Best appreciated with a magnifying glass. The only example of  such a surprint we recall, and a novelty thus. $130-170  

14-52. A Danish Princess becomes Queen consort ... of England.

Four appealing cartes: H.R.H. Princess Alexandra, beautifully hand-colored, accenting her ruby necklace, pink flowers in her hair, rosy  complexion, and lavender sleeve. Daughter of the King and Queen of Denmark, Alexandra is here shown as the Queen consort of Great  Britain, having married Edward VII in 1863. Minor clip depression at blank left mount, two minor toned spots in emulsion, else very  good. • Matching pair of Italian nobleman and noblewoman, dated 1862 within ornate lilac coat-of-arms on verso. Issued upon the  “Esposizione Provinciale Senese di Arti e Mestieri [Siena Provincial Exposition of Arts and Crafts], patta in Occasione del X Congresso  dei Botti Italiani....” By Paolo Lombardi, Siena. Both fresh and excellent. • Prinz Napoleon, with uncanny resemblance. Married  daughter of Victor Emmanuel II, feuded with Napoleon III but made head of family; “as pretender to throne, exiled from France  (1886)”--Webster’s Biographical. Two trivial edge blemishes, very minor toning, else fine. $80-110 (4 pcs.) 

Go to Section 15: Philatelic & Postal History