This unusual image shows an unidentified medical officer posed standing between a table and chair. On the table are a closed book and the subject’s English style square topped visor cap. The subject wears a dark uniform consisting of thigh length dark coat with 5 or 6 dark cloth covered buttons down the front with dark cloth epaulettes and dark galloons on each sleeve. Horizontally across the chest at the level of each button is a dark wide band of cloth with pointed ends. There is a strip of dark piping on each side of the collar and down the front of the jacket. Trousers match the coat in color and have a wide dark leg stripe. Everything about this uniform is English; however, the subject wears a waist belt with rectangular U.S. Pattern 1851 belt plate with spread-winged eagle and wreath with a U.S. Model 1840 medical officer’s sword.

Image has excellent clarity and contrast and the paper and mount are very good.

Reverse has photographer’s imprint for J. W. BLACK…BOSTON. There is also a collector’s notation in pencil that is worth repeating in full here. It reads:

“POSSIBLY A SURGEON FROM THE 4^TH RIFLE BATTALION MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER MILITIA. THIS BATTALION WORE A GRAY ENGLISH VOLUNTEER RIFLE UNIFORM AND COUL HAVE, AS DID THE ENGLISH ARMY, UNIFORMED ITS MEDICAL STAFF IN DARK BLUE.”

This would make an interesting research project.  [ad]

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