British Midshipman
SOLD February 2001 |
Two sixth plate studies of a young man in the uniform of a Royal Navy midshipman, daguerreotypes ca. 1850. Each housed in a full morocco leather case with gilt studio imprint of Ross & Thompson, Edinburgh on front cover.
The 19th century midshipman was an officer-trainee similar to period trade apprentices. Aspiring "middies", generally from well-connected families, obtained appointments with the Royal Navy at the surprising age of 12, attaining full rank after three yearÂ’s service for the Queen. Their role on shipboard was that of assistant and gofer to one or more of the officers.
We can make out regulation anchor-and-crown captains buttons on the young man's coat as well as a crown emblem on his cap, which was adopted at the instigation of Queen Victoria in 1846 and retired in 1856. While period illustrations generally show middies obediently attached to the side of a higher ranking officer and carrying what is probably the officer's telescope, this young swaggering officer-to-be proudly holds his telescope as if it were a symbol of his own command. He was certainly aware that Admiral Nelson, along with other heroes of the British navy, began their service as midshipmen.
