This comes from the collection of the late Bill Turner, well known Virginia collector and dealer. The subject is a young man, shown from the lower chest up, wearing a dark kepi pushed slightly back on his head so as not to cast a shadow, and a triple-breasted coat that appears gray with black trim on the collar and crossing his chest at the buttons, a style that shows up on many early war southern soldiers coming from militia companies. He might be taken for a cadet, but the very unkempt hair gives the feeling of a relatively new, and certainly young, soldier. (Eighteen was the official lower age limit, but younger boys could enlist with permission from a guardian, a blind eye from the recruiter, or a sudden difficulty with dates and numbers.) He looks directly into the camera with a wide-eyed gaze probably intended to prevent blinking, but which gives him a slightly dazed or distracted appearance.

The photographer lightly touched the buttons with gold, some of which has faded, but the buttons appear to be flat, coin types. There is some minor spotting. A darker band of solarization runs around the outside of the plate, but only seems to nicely frame the figure. The glass, mat, and brass frame are in place. The case is an excellent thermoplastic case with floral border and dynamic eagle clutching a flag, with its wings raised and a “Union Forever” ribbon overhead, which is very pretty, if a bit ironic, since the subject seems to us, and likely to Bill, so Confederate. The image is very clear, emphasizing his eyes, and we can’t help looking into them for a reflection of the photographer.   [sr] [ph:m]

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