Half plate tintype. Brass mat and spacer, uncased. 

A large and outstanding portrait of two Union pugilists posed in front of a painted "camp" backdrop. With raised fists that nearly touch and cocksure posture, they appear ready to answer the bell.

This photograph is particularly notable not only because the men are clearly Union soldiers in camp, but also because they wear 'mufflers'—or boxing gloves, as we know them today. Versions of the iconic oxblood-red gloves seen in heavyweight rings around the globe have existed since the Romans, but boxers generally fought bare-knuckled until the close of the 19th century. Mufflers were typically used for sparring, which is why they are rarely, if ever, seen in Civil War-era photographs.

Soldiers in camp turned to all manner of competition to pass the time, from racing ticks to baseball. Boxing was also common, as was the gambling that we still associate with the sport today. Not only is this an excellent camp photo, but it also provides an early glimpse into a pastime that remains incredibly popular some 165 years later. 

[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] [Boxing]