Full-length studio albumen CDV. Newburgh, NY: Lawrence Gallery, [ca. 1862–1864]. Recto features a formal standing study. Verso bears a Lawrence Newburgh gallery backmark with Masonic compass and square, accompanied by collector research identifying the subject as "Sgt Thomas W. Bradley / 124th New York / MOH Chancellorsville / WIA Gettysburg." A lighter period pencil inscription appears to read "Aunt Wright."

A native of Berkshire, England, who immigrated to the Hudson Valley, Thomas W. Bradley became one of the "Orange Blossoms'" most distinguished members. He earned the Medal of Honor for his "distinguished gallantry" at the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863, where he volunteered to procure ammunition under a heavy fire when the regiment’s supply was nearly exhausted. Just two months later at Gettysburg, Bradley was wounded in action during the desperate defense of Devil’s Den. He survived the war, was brevetted Captain, and later served as a United States Congressman from New York for five terms.

Bradley is depicted in a formal standing pose leaning against the recognizable studio balustrade of Lawrence of Newburgh, wearing a standard four-button sack coat and light-colored trousers. He holds his forage cap at his waist. The image captures the youthful resolve of a volunteer who would soon become one of the unit’s most celebrated combat veterans. The Lawrence backmark is particularly notable as a "homefront" icon, as images made in his studio were typically distributed to loved ones soon left behind, perhaps the case for "Aunt Wright" of the inscription. Given Bradley's subsequent history, it was far closer to his final photograph then he likely imagined. 

Bradley’s journey from a teenage volunteer to a Medal of Honor recipient and eventually a member of the U.S. House of Representatives is a quintessential American story. As a member of the "Orange Blossoms," he was part of a regiment that suffered some of the highest percentage losses of the war. His post-war career in public service was a continuation of the leadership he demonstrated at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.

[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, Stereographs] [Civil War, Union, Confederate]

Excellent tonal depth and sharp focus. The mount is crisp with light age-related toning. The research notations on the verso are bold and provide a rock-solid primary source for this highly desirable New York combatant.