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EXQUISITE UNIQUELY-CASED QUARTER PLATE TINTYPE - CIVIL WAR ENLISTED PAIR

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This crisp image features two enlisted men in fatigue blouses or “Sack Coats”, with legs crossed under Federally issued trousers.  Each man is sporting a cocked wide-brimmed hat, not regulation, but meeting minimum fatigue headwear guidelines.  The man at right wears a light-colored shirt with collar - perhaps a Federal issue domet flannel shirt.  The other enlisted man’s shirt features no collar, perhaps a period work shirt with glass button.

The soldier at left sits on a carpeted folding chair, while the soldier at right leans on an ornate, legged chair.  Common among original images from photographers’ tents, an area carpet covers the foreground and a canvass sheet backdrop occupies the background.

The generous case measures 4”x 5” and features the once-popular but uncommonly found relief on the front of the case depicting the capture of Major Andre Major John André (1750-1780) was a British spy hanged during the American Revolution for assisting Benedict Arnold’s failed plot to surrender the fort at West Point, New York, to the British Army. A famous 1845 painting by Asher Brown Durand popularized the event in art and served as direct inspiration for this patriotic case design. This painting depicts the moment on September 23, 1780, when André was detained by armed militiamen near Tarrytown, New York, who discovered incriminating papers in his boot, revealing Arnold’s scheme to hand the fort over to the British in exchange for £20,300 and a brigadier’s commission. Sentenced to death, the dignity with which André accepted his fate endeared him to enemies. George Washington called André, “An accomplished man and gallant officer,” while Alexander Hamilton wrote, “Never perhaps did any man suffer death with more justice, or deserve it less.”

The story of Major André became a popular subject for artists. Jacob Eichholtz and Thomas Sully both painted scenes of his arrest, but the best-known depiction of his capture is this work by Asher B. Durand. In 1845, the American Art-Union commissioned this painting from Durand, asking him to improve upon an earlier version he painted in 1834. This painting was included in the Art-Union’s annual members’ lottery in December of 1845, where it was won by Cornelius Van Horn of New York.

The interior front of the case is furnished in a plum-colored velvet with an embossed symmetrical floral spray design.  Brass hinges join the case and a brass clasp functions as-new to keep it securely closed.

The photo border is stamped with a shielded floral spray pattern with raised twisted edges.  The contrast of the photograph nicely accentuates details like eyes, facial hair, skin tone, fingernails, and even the details of the Federal eagle buttons on their issued coats.

A perfect representation of the enlisted men of the Civil War, likely taken in camp or by a traveling photographer.  This image and very desirable case would be a highlight of any Civil War photography collection.  [cm][ph:L]

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