William Henry Tipton (1850–1929) was born in Gettysburg, and began apprenticing to photographer brothers Isaac and Charles Tyson at the age of twelve. Although the Tysons closed shop during the Battle of Gettysburg, “According to Tipton’s obituary, Tipton assisted Mathew Brady, the famous Civil War Photographer, in photographing scenes of the battlefield in the days following” (“William Tipton”). In 1866 Tipton and a partner, Robert Myers, purchased the Tyson studio, and in 1880 Tipton went into business on his own, as the W. H. Tipton Company. He photographed views of the battlefield, war monuments, and the surrounding town, and made portraits of tourists and veterans. He also served on the Gettysburg town council and was active in the Republican Party, serving a term as a state representative. He championed several controversial efforts to promote Gettysburg tourism and commercialize memorialization of the battlefield.

General George Meade, the great victor of Gettysburg, still observes the field today from atop his impressive equestrian monument, located just behind the center of the Union line near Hancock Avenue. Around the time of the monument’s dedication, Tipton took this photograph, which is perhaps the first photo taken of the monument. An early wood and wire fence is visible in the background, along with a house at lower right (perhaps the Leister Farm).  Tipton’s catalogue label on the image denotes this as “1238 Tipton Photo”.  “W.H. TIPTON, GETTYSBURG, PA.” is embossed at the front low center border.  The photo print measures 8” x 10” and shows very minor but typical corner wear that is scarcely noticeable.

Tipton’s photographic collection – including early prints such as this – helped to shape popular memory of the battle and are an important but rare record of the Gettysburg battlefield’s evolving place in history.  This print is part of a singular private collection and archive acquired by the Horse Soldier and would make quite the unique and important addition to any Civil War or Gettysburg-centric collection.  [cm][ph:L]

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