Full plate ambrotype. Half leatherette case. Plate measures 6.625" x 8.75"

Outstanding and rare full plate ambrotype of an armed Union cavalry officer. The plate remains in as superb a condition as the day it was made some 160 years ago. Full plate images were very expensive at the time, and the prohibitive cost, combined with the relative fragility of such a large sheet of glass, make surviving examples almost unheard of in Civil War photography. 

The image features a full-length view of an unidentified Yankee officer holding an unsheathed cavalry saber. On the left breast of his jacket is pinned a fancy silver identification badge consisting of a pair of crossed sabers and a star suspended from a ribbon, all suspended from a martial eagle. The other badge is a known design that designates him as a member of Sheridan's Cavalry Corps. This very image was published on the cover of North-South Trader Magazine some 35 years ago, and at the time, it was suggested that the unique combination of badges placed him with the 1st Vermont Cavalry. An original copy of this issue accompanied the image and is included with the purchase. 

The plate is housed in a half leatherette case that appears to be original to the image. Interestingly, there is no evidence that the case ever had a lid. There is writing inside of the case that may relate to the original owner; more research may bear fruit. 

This is a rare opportunity to acquire an image of this size, the most impressive in early photography. That it likely depicts a member of a very famous Civil War cavalry regiment is a bonus. 

[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] [Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Medals, Corps Badges, Badges]