Two full-length standing studio portrait albumen CDVs. Photographers unidentified, [ca. 1861-3]. Pencil inscriptions to mount versos.

This visually striking lot features two full-length portraits of Union infantrymen photographed in full marching order. The first image captures an unidentified young soldier noted as belonging to the 22nd New York State Militia. He stands before a painted backdrop wearing a meticulously tailored, light-colored militia uniform with distinct trim with a full knapsack strapped to his back and holding his musket with a fixed bayonet. The second image presents a rugged, bearded soldier identified by a period pencil inscription on the reverse as A. C. Wood of the 51st New York State Militia. Wood wears a short jacket and trousers, standing at rest with his hands clasped over the muzzle of his musket, heavily burdened by a full knapsack and blanket roll.

Photographs of Civil War soldiers wearing their full knapsacks are highly desirable due to their authentic representation of the soldier's physical reality. Heavy marching order meant carrying shelter, bedding, extra clothing and personal effects on one's back, often weighing upwards of 40 pounds. Both of these men belonged to New York State Militia regiments, which were frequently called upon for emergency mobilizations, such as garrisoning the defenses of Washington or responding to the Confederate invasion of Pennsylvania during the Gettysburg campaign.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Cased Images, Union Cases, Albumen Photographs, CDVs, Carte de Visites, Cartes de Visite, Carte-de-visite, Cartes-de-visite, CDV, Cabinet Cards, Stereoviews, Stereocards]

The images are in good to very good condition. The albumen surfaces exhibit varying tonality, with the 22nd NYSM portrait showing sharp contrast and crisp details, while the 51st NYSM portrait presents a slightly darker, moodier exposure. The 51st NYSM image was slightly trimmed to fit into a period album.