A compelling collection of three original albumen cartes-de-visite tracking individual armed volunteers and state militia troops from the early-war period. The grouping provides an interesting material culture study of regional mobilization during the critical 1861-2 campaigns, showcasing the diverse uniforms and gear of the volunteer forces rushing to the seat of war.

The lot includes:

1. Soldier at "Support Arms": Full-length standing studio portrait of an infantryman in heavy field gear, including a packed knapsack, shoulder straps and breastplate, holding his rifle vertically at his left shoulder. The reverse features a printed letterpress studio stamp for Keely, N.W. Cor. Fifth and Coates Sts., Philadelphia. 

2. Francis Wells, 1862: Full-length studio portrait of a soldier sharply attired in a light-colored frock coat with contrasting collar trim and a matching forage cap, standing at order arms with his right hand resting on the rifle barrel next to a large fluted column. The reverse bears a bold red backmark reading "Photographed / by / F. Gutekunst, / 706 Arch Street, / Philadelphia.", enhanced by a prominent period ink inscription: "Francis Wells / 1862." An additional modern pencil notation reads, "13th PA Militia?" Research indicates a potential match with a Private Francis Wells, who officially enrolled in Company C of the 13th Pennsylvania Emergency Militia on 12 September 1862 in response to Lee's Maryland invasion. 

3. 8th Massachusetts Infantry Veteran: Full-length standing studio portrait of a bearded soldier wearing a dark fatigue blouse, a civilian or modified waist belt with a tucked revolver, and a prominent medal pinned to his breast. He holds his rifle with bayonet fixed in his left hand, while his forage cap rests nearby on a fringed parlor table. The verso is blank.

[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]

Very good overall. The three individual albumen prints retain impressive clarity, balanced tonal contrast and warm sepia patinas. The mounts are structurally sound and square.