Waving the Flag
SOLD March 2005 |
Sixth plate tintype of a Civil War soldier in uniform coat and kepi hat and smoking a cigar, posed in front of a painted backdrop showing a harbor town and American flag. With applied hand coloring in red and gilt. Housed in full case with split spine.
In addition to the large flag above the sitter, the background contains two ships and perhaps a fort as well, which also appear to be flying flags. With the mat removed more details of the town scene around him can be seen. The flag has been colored red as has also the tip of his cigar. Gilt areas are more subdued than they appear in the scan. Condition is excellent with the exception that an area of the emulsion in lower left corner underneath the mat, has "bubbled". I do not have any information on the affiliation of the soldier, although obviously with that particular flag flying he is not a "Reb".
As found with the image, the lid of case has a patriotic flag design. The back half of case is a geometric design and I don't believe it originally went with the front half, although the size and closure hook match fine.
