Two cased tintypes of an African American Union soldier (one with his wife), ca. 1863-65. United States. Each approximately sixth plate in size (2 3/4 x 3 1/4 in.), with original gilt-embossed mats and preservers; one housed in a full hinged thermoplastic case, the other in a half leatherette case.

One portrait presents a full-length view of the soldier in Federal uniform standing beside his seated partner. He holds his forage cap in one hand and rests a trombone upright at his side, marking him as a regimental musician. His companion sits in a voluminous dress with patterned shawl, her presence lending a distinctly domestic dimension to the image. The other tintype, in a half case, depicts the same sitter (or a closely related likeness) in a three-quarter-length seated pose. He wears his enlisted jacket buttoned and sits cross-legged before a painted backdrop depicting a military encampment, a popular device in wartime studios. It's clear what he's holding, but it may be knife. 

Together the images represent two facets of the soldier’s identity: the professional role of a Black Union soldier, and the personal role of husband and family man. Photographs of African American soldiers are rare in any form; examples that pair military service with a family portrait are exceptionally uncommon. The seated portrait, with its direct gaze and tightly framed composition, conveys an especially strong sense of presence.

[African Americana, African American History, Black History, Slavery, Enslavement, Abolition, Emancipation] [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]