Collection of 5 studio portrait albumen CDVs. Various locations: including Washington, D.C., and New York: Mathew Brady’s National Photographic Galleries and Boston: J.W. Black, [ca. 1861-5]. Photographer’s imprints to mount versos. Period and research pencil identifications to mount versos.

This exceptional five-piece assembly documents the medical leadership of the Union volunteer force, featuring five distinct sittings of identified surgeons and assistant surgeons. The lot is anchored by several high-status imprints from Mathew Brady’s National Photographic Galleries and J.W. Black of Boston. Notable subjects include Surgeon Hall Curtis of the 24th Massachusetts, Assistant Surgeon Joseph Auguste Fontaine of the 55th New York (Lafayette Guard) and 13th New York Heavy Artillery, and Dr. Edward C. Franklin of the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry. The collection features a variety of poses, from formal seated studies to rare full-length sittings in field attire.

Specifically, this lot includes the following five CDVs: 

1. Surgeon Hall Curtis (24th Massachusetts Infantry): A vignetted bust study by J.W. Black of Boston, showing Curtis in a formal officer’s frock coat with a dense, dark beard.

2. Joseph Auguste Fontaine (55th NY Infantry/13th NYHA): A standout full-length Brady sitting showing Fontaine in a rare white field frock coat, a practical garment used by surgeons in the field.

3. Dr. Edward C. Franklin (2nd Rhode Island Infantry): A full-length seated study of Franklin in his fatigue uniform, identified by a research notation on the lower mount.

4. Top-Hatted Officer (Brady): A sharp full-length study of an officer in a top hat and frock coat with an over-the-shoulder sash, identified by regimental context as a medical officer.

5. Seated Surgeon (Brady): A formal seated study of an officer in a forage cap and frock coat, bearing the iconic Mathew Brady D.C. studio backmark.

This grouping is anchored by the rare Joseph Fontaine image, which captures a specific and seldom-seen piece of Union medical field gear. Combined with multiple Brady imprints, it offers a sophisticated look at the "Healing Arts" within the Union high command.

[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 collection is in generally excellent condition, featuring strong tonal contrast and sharp detail across the five subjects with minimal fading. The mounts remain structurally sound and exhibit clear, legible photographer imprints and identifications, showing only typical minor age-related toning and period-clipped corners on several examples.