Collection of 2 studio portrait albumen CDVs. New York and Washington, D.C.: Brady’s National Photographic Portrait Galleries and E. & H. T. Anthony, [ca. 1863-4]. Period ink signature to mount recto of one image reads: "Alex. S. Webb."

This remarkable two-piece lot features two different views of the same legendary officer: Alexander S. Webb. One, by Anthony, is signed boldly by Webb himself. Webb was a pivotal figure of the Army of the Potomac whose actions at the "High Water Mark" of the Confederacy earned him the nation's highest military honor.

This pairing includes two distinct views of Webb captured by Mathew Brady's studio. The first is a three-quarter study showing him in his brigadier general’s uniform, while the second is a sharp profile view that highlights his distinctive features and commanding presence. While both photos were struck by Brady, one carte bears an E. & H. T. Anthony imprint, which used Brady’s original glass negatives for mass distribution. These images likely date to the period following his heroic service at Gettysburg, when he became a household name in the North.

Webb earned the Medal of Honor for "extraordinary heroism" on 3 July 1863 during the climax of Pickett’s Charge. Commanding the Philadelphia Brigade, Webb found his line at "The Angle" being overrun by the surging Confederate advance. Refusing to yield, he sprinted into the middle of his retreating men, rallied them under a murderous fire and personally led a countercharge that broke the Confederate momentum. Despite being wounded during the melee, his refusal to leave his post was cited as the decisive factor in holding the Union center.

Following Gettysburg, Webb continued to lead with distinction, commanding a division in the 2nd Corps during the Overland Campaign. He was severely wounded again at the Battle of Spotsylvania, a testament to his habit of leading from the front. He finished the war with the brevet rank of major general in the regular army.

In his post-war life, Webb transitioned from the battlefield to the classroom, serving as the President of the College of the City of New York (CCNY) for over 30 years. He remained a respected elder statesman of the Gettysburg veteran community, often returning to the battlefield to help mark the exact spots where his brigade held the line.

This is an exceptional signed pairing of the hero who earned the Medal of Honor for personally leading the countercharge that defeated Pickett's Charge.

[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] 

Both images are in generally excellent condition, featuring the exceptional tonal range and clarity associated with the Brady and Anthony studios. The albumen surfaces are well-preserved with a pleasing light sheen. The mounts remain structurally sound with clean edges.