Levi "Lee" Mumper was born in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania on May 7, 1843. The second of seven children born to farm couple Samuel and Catherine (Shultz) Mumper, he completed a public-school education before becoming a cabinetmaking apprentice. In August 1862, the 19-year-old entered the Civil War by enlisting in Pennsylvania's Volunteer Infantry, Company I of the 127th Regiment. During the next nine months, he served under Colonel William W. Jennings. After his term of enlisted expired in May of 1863, Pvt. Mumper elected to settle in Gettysburg rather than re-enlisting. Although he was likely introduced to photography during his military service, it was only after meeting local photographers Charles and Isaac Tyson that his formal education commenced in earnest.

By 1864, the photographic novice went professional and purchased Samuel Weaver's studio located on Middle Street in downtown Gettysburg. "Mumper & Co." capitalized on the town's Civil War fame by recreating combat scenes on their actual locales. Mr. Mumper quickly established an impressive professional reputation rivaling the Tysons and another local Civil War photographer, William H. Tipton. He soon relocated to a larger gallery at 25 Baltimore Street, which specialized in the regionally popular battlefield stereoviews, and subsequently built up a sizeable clientele.

Shown in this image is one of Gettysburg’s most iconic views – the western view from the summit of Little Round Top.  General Warren surveys the southern sector of the field from his famous rock, with many well-known areas plainly visible.  The photo is mounted to a white card with green borders.  A slight crease is noted at the upper right corner and very slight edge rolling of the outer layer of paper is present across the edges. All edges and corners are fairly sharp with only minor wear. The reverse is mostly clean with a stamped logo reading “MUMPER & CO. / PHOTO. / ARTISTS, Baltimore St. / Gettysburg, Pa.”  A period handwritten notation reads “Little Round Top to Devil’s Den and Emmitsburg road.” Overall measurements are 5.3” x 8.6”.

A nice piece of early Gettysburg photography from a famous photographic artist and veteran.  It would display beautifully and be a welcome addition to any Civil War or Gettysburg collection.  [cm][ph:L]

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