Civil War Tintype of Union Soldier and Wife in Gutta-Percha Case / SOLD

Description

Civil War Tintype of Union Soldier and Wife in Gutta-Percha Case

A fine sixth-plate tintype (2 ¾” x 3 ¼”) depicting a seated Union soldier in uniform beside his wife, both posed in a traditional half-length portrait. The soldier wears a dark frock coat with rows of brass buttons visible down the front and sports a full beard, while his wife is dressed in a bonnet and dark silk dress with fitted bodice, displaying the somber but elegant fashion of the period. Her hand rests gently on his arm, lending an intimate quality to the composition. The image is housed in its original ornate brass mat and gilt frame, decorated with intricate scroll and floral designs. It retains its protective case, a hinged gutta-percha (hard rubber) example typical of mid-19th century photographic presentation. The case shows expected wear from age, with light surface abrasions, minor corner losses, and a faded purple velvet pad inside the lid. The plate itself remains clear with good contrast, capturing the expressions and details with striking sharpness. Tintypes of soldiers accompanied by their wives are far less common than single military portraits, as such paired images often marked a significant moment—departure for war, marriage, or a farewell memento. This example captures both the intimacy of family life and the formality of wartime portraiture, making it a poignant image of the Civil War period.

Inventory Number: HAR 235