Collection of 5 studio portrait albumen CDVs. Various locations: including New York, Louisville and Chicago, [ca. 1862-5]. Period and research identifications to mount versos read: "Surgeon J. Wilson Wishart, 140th Pa. Vols."; "Asst. Surgeon Prior N. Norton, 20th Ky. Inf."; "Asst. Surgeon James Dexter, 40th NY"; and "Asst. Surg. Myron Underwood, 12th Iowa Inft."

This significant five-piece lot brings together a visually impressive array of medical officers representing several key Union states, including Pennsylvania, New York, Iowa and Kentucky. The collection features a mix of full-length and seated studies, with the subjects shown in their formal medical officer uniforms, characterized by their double-breasted frock coats and distinctive shoulder straps. 

The lot includes the following identified surgeons:

1. Surgeon J. Wilson Wishart (140th Pennsylvania): A full-length study of the lead surgeon for a hard-fighting regiment in the 2nd Corps. The mount features a dark period ink signature: "Very truly yours, J. Wilson Wishart, Surgeon 140th Pa. Vols."

2. Assistant Surgeon Prior N. Norton (20th Kentucky): Posed in a slouch hat with an embroidered medical wreath, Norton represents the vital loyalist forces of the Bluegrass State.

3. Assistant Surgeon James Dexter (40th New York): A seated study produced in New York City, capturing a member of the storied "Mozart Regiment."

4. Unidentified Surgeon: A sharp study of an officer prominently posed beside what appears to be a photographer's camera. 

5. Assistant Surgeon Myron Underwood (12th Iowa): A seated study with a bold hand-written identification. Underwood and the 12th Iowa were heavily engaged in the Western Theater, notably at Shiloh and Vicksburg.

These surgeons served at the absolute epicenter of the war's medical crisis. Wishart of the 140th Pennsylvania oversaw the grueling field hospitals of the 2nd Corps during the Overland Campaign and the siege of Petersburg. Meanwhile, Underwood of the 12th Iowa managed the unique tropical and siege-related diseases that plagued the Union armies in the Mississippi Valley. 

This lot is a premier five-image archive of Union surgeons, featuring a rare autographed likeness of the lead medical officer for the hard-fighting 140th Pennsylvania.

[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 generally excellent condition, featuring strong tonal contrast and the exceptional clarity associated with premier mid-war galleries. The albumen surfaces are well-preserved with minimal age-related toning. The mounts remain structurally sound with clean edges.