Hand-colored photograph enlargement of a Union soldier. 19th century. 

An outstanding 19th-century hand-colored photo enlargement of a Union soldier eating a meal. Charcoal and pastel artwork such as this example was quite popular in the years after the Civil War, as veterans and their families looked to create keepsakes of their service. They were also frequently produced after a beloved veteran passed away. Sometimes called solarization prints or solar enlargements, these prints were produced through a process in which a tintype or ambrotype functioned as the negative plate. These were often made as memorial pieces or as a tribute to a soldier's service. Whereas cased tintype or ambrotype images were small and primarily enjoyed intimately, these large, usually colorized prints were made to be displayed. A deceased soldier's family could hang one in a prominent location, proud of his sacrifice made during the war.

This example presents a Yankee infantryman sitting on the ground, with a tin cup in one hand and a piece of hardtack in the other. A coffee pot, canteen, and rifled musket also lay within his reach. Union soldiers invented many creative ways to "dress up" the bland crackers they received as part of their rations, but many simply dunked them in hot coffee. That is likely what this remarkably candid scene is meant to depict. 

While the subject is unknown, images of a very similar style are associated with Pennsylvania soldiers. It is reasonable to assume that this soldier hailed from the Keystone State. It remains in very good condition, with vibrant colors and only minimal age wear to the lower right portion of the board. It is housed in a very nice gold-painted wood frame and would make an excellent addition to any "War room." 

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Art, Folk Art, Military Art, Etching, Engraving, Lithographs, Prints, Ephemera] [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]