A sixth-plate tintype portrait, ca 1861–1865. Housed in its original half-leatherette case featuring a striking, gold-embossed patriotic motif on the exterior.

This quintessential full-length standing portrait captures a young, armed Federal infantryman. He stands resolutely, dressed in a regulation dark blue frock coat and sky-blue trousers. On his head sits the classic Yankee forage cap. He proudly cradles his primary weapon - an infantry musket, likely an M1861 Springfield - with a long triangular socket bayonet fixed to the muzzle. The photographer applied subtle, artistic gold tinting to the buttons of his sack coat and oval US buckle, a classic wartime embellishment designed to make the soldier's brass fittings pop off the metal plate. 

This image is housed in half of a dark brown leatherette case which features a beautifully preserved gold-gilt patriotic vignette depicting Columbia standing defiantly while hoisting a large, waving American flag. Produced by enterprising case manufacturers during the opening volleys of the war, these explicit patriotic designs were immensely popular among newly mustered volunteers who wanted the housing of their likeness to broadcast their fierce devotion to the Union. 

Those who knew Rick Carlile will immediately recognize this tintype as a curious "survivor" within his legendary estate. While Rick famously dispersed his premier collection of hard images years ago to focus on his monumental CDV archive, this lone sixth-plate quietly remained a permanent fixture on his desk. One can easily speculate why it was never sold: the plate presents a textbook visual record of the common Union volunteer. Rick possessed a deep, lifelong reverence for the frontline rank-and-file, and this particular subject is about as pure and representative as it gets. It stood as a simple touchstone, embodying the very essence of the youthful citizen soldier spirit that fueled his lifetime passion. 

The plate is in excellent condition, with only the most minor wear on the extreme outer edges of the plate.