LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 June Civil War Grand Format Auction #663  / 

74071

CSA Maj Gen Carter Littlepage Stevenson Dag

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
CSA Maj Gen Carter Littlepage Stevenson Dag
<B>Confederate Major General Carter Littlepage Stevenson Pre-War Daguerreotype.</B></I> Antebellum images of Confederate generals as junior officers are among the most prized collectibles in the fields of early photography and historical militaria. The stern young officer depicted in this splendid portrait is C.L. Stevenson of Fredericksburg, Virginia (1818-1888), probably as a captain in the early 1850s. A manuscript note accompanying the image reads, "<I>By J.L. Griffing 214 Main St Buffalo From O.B. Evans Gallery</B></I>." Griffing is known to have been working in Buffalo at this address in 1852-1853 before launching his own studio in 1855. The Evans establishment employed numerous photographers and lost no opportunity to enhance its reputation via international competition. Indeed, the company rightly played up a medal won at the great expo held in London's Crystal Palace in 1851. During this period, Stevenson probably had this picture taken while en route to one of his many postings along the western frontier. An 1838 West Point graduate and Mexican War veteran, the Virginian served in Texas and Utah until Virginia's secession. Stevenson followed his native state into the Confederacy and was briefly colonel of the 53rd Virginia Infantry. General Beauregard's intervention, however, directed Stevenson to the west where he proved himself an able division commander in that bloody theater. Stevenson was at Champion's Hill, Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta, and Nashville. His war ended with the Army of Tennessee upon Joseph Johnston's surrender in North Carolina on April 26, 1865. The Stevenson daguerreotype harkens back to happier times when a Virginian could proudly wear a federal officer's frock coat. The image is moderately haloed and has a series of very light abrasions that do not detract and which are only visible when angled to a bright light. Only one other daguerreotype of Stevenson exists. The case is in remarkably good shape with only a few minor scuffs and wear as expected. A small museum catalog number is painted in white along the top edge of the case. This is a rare opportunity to acquire an identified Confederate general's daguerreotype as a junior officer. From the collection of William Turner, author of <I>Even More Confederate Faces</B></I>.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Miscellaneous Collectibles, Smal (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
Sign In to Bookmark Lot