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Companion Ambrotypes of Young Militia Soldier, 

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:300.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 600.00 USD
Companion Ambrotypes of Young Militia Soldier, 

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Auction Date:2009 Jun 24 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Location:6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
a sixth plate military portrait with early brass mat impressed with blind stamp of Tomlinson Ambrotypes and 1854 patent date together with a slightly later ninth plate ambrotype of the same man wearing the identical uniform, both unidentified. The plates retain their early paper seals, the sixth plate finished without brass mat after the fashion of a daguerreotype. In fact, the artist Tomlinson, probably William A. Tomlinson, trained under John Plumbe in NYC during the 1840s. Thereafter, Tomlinson is listed in several city directories as both a daguerreotypist and ambrotypist. He worked in New Haven, Ct. (1845-46), Poughkeepsie (1846) and Troy, NY (1846-1862). During the later period, Tomlinson is also listed in NYC as an ambrotypist in 1856-57, and in Jersey City & NYC between 1859 and 1860.

The young soldier wears a chasseur style kepi and single breasted dark frock coat with nine high dome buttons that have been gilded over without any identifying insignia. The consignor has suggested that the images represent an Alabama soldier from Mobile. At first glance, the three rows of thin collar braid (also gilded) appear as the regulation rank insignia of a Confederate captain. However, under magnification, the three rows of braid extend (completely?) around the collar favoring simple ornamentation rather than rank. Nothing else about the uniform can be documented exclusively in a Southern context, much less a specific antebellum Alabama company. The Confederate identification is less plausible in light of the Tomlinson blind stamp and patent date unless one is ready to accept that obsolete brass mats were still circulating in 1861. Rather, we believe the ambrotypes depict a young enlisted New York City militiaman, ca 1856, from an unidentified company or regiment. 

Condition: Sixth plate near EXC. with strong clarity showing minor tarnish ring with significant dirt and debris under cover glass; housed in (early) partial composition case. Ninth plate EXC. with average clarity, one spot of crazing in applied black backing. Dirt and debris under cover glass; housed in damaged gutta percha case missing a ¾” section of back upper edge.