All I want for Christmas...

This is one of the most precious and wonderful images I have ever come across. Several weeks ago, I stopped at an antique store on Route 4 in Northwood, NH and saw this remarkable cdv of a young girl with her doll. I talked myself out of buying it but a week or so later, I decided I could not pass this one up! Luckily, it was still there locked behind the glass case and within a few moments it passed into my possession for a long time to come. This adorable youngester was probably from Lawrence, Massachusetts, where the image was taken by Yeaw & Co. at 166 Essex Street likely during 1860-61. The simple white card the image is glued to with no ornamentation or gold border suggests this is a very early American carte de visite.

The subject is so special and it's obvious this large doll was perhaps her most valued possession for a girl 10 years old or possibly younger. Was it a Christmas or birthday gift? It's very possible since her parents wanted to have a picture of their daughter with the doll. The carving on the chair in the photographer's studio is also amazing in detail. Please click on the picture to get a closer look.

I would like to dedicate this post to my aunt Diane Jones, who tragically and suddenly passed on from this world on Sunday, December 21 at the age of 56. She was a wonderful teacher, human being, and always a kid at heart!

Dashing Through the Snow

In light of the recent ice storm that ravaged Northern New England and the Great Blackout of 2008, I thought it would be fun (and appropriate) to post a winter-related image from times past. This wonderful cabinet card of a couple dashing through the snow in the studio of E.M. Johnson of Crown Point, NY was probably taken during the 1890s, or late 80s. I'm not sure how the effect of falling snow was created, maybe someone from above was dropping it, but the background is definitely painted so the image was most likely taken inside. I'm sure this "realistic" photo using cutting edge technology must have been quite a conversation piece back then!

Brothers in Arms?

This is a wonderful image from the Civil War era showing two very good friends or possibly brothers from Dexter, Maine or in that vicinity. Dexter is a central Maine community situated in a small valley along Route 7 that runs north from the intersection of Route 95 in Newport and continues toward the Moosehead Lake Region. It was incorporated in 1816, four years before Maine became a state in 1820. On the back of the photo, is printed "J.F. Page, Dexter, ME." which is the photographer. In pencil is written "Tallest man is Maxwell of Dexter, Me." It's possible that one or both of these men fought in the Civil War, and more than 3o guys from Dexter enlisted in the 22nd Maine Regiment. So far I have not been able to locate the guy in our photo, but I haven't given up yet! Still a great image that I will update someday.

Mill Girl from Manchester?

This is a stunning and lovely carte de visite of a young woman taken during the 1860s by "A.W. Kimball, Photographer, 244 Elm Street, Manchester, N.H." This is one those pictures which the advertisement appeared on the back of the image. I acquired this one from my friend Marti Jones, ironically, in Manchester only yesterday! Who this pretty lady was remains a mystery, but it's very possible she worked as an "operative", as they were called back then, at the Amoskeag Mills in New Hampshire. During the Civil War period (1861-1866), Southern cotton used to produce cloth became very scarce, so the company's foundry made over 27,000 rifled miskets and 6,892 Lindner carbines. Following the war, the country's rapid industrialization continued, with Manchester becoming a textile manufacturing center far larger than its namesake back in England. Company engineers built more factories, lining both sides of the Merrimack River. Mill No. 11 was the world's largest cotton mill, 900 feet long, 103 feet wide, and containing 4000 looms! Amoskeag peaked by World War I, supplying the Federal government with massive quantities of fabric. It employed up to 17,000 workers in 74 textile departments, with 30 mills weaving 50 miles of cloth per hour. The company eventually succumbed during the Great Depression, and today the mills have been restored to their former glory, as a home for businesses, museums, and restaurants. Was this young woman one of the thousands of workers to arrive from all over New England to work in the famous mills of Manchester? It's certainly possible.

Put Your Hand on My Shoulder...

As you can see, this is very nice cabinet card photograph of a Vermont couple taken in the state capital of Montpelier sometime during the 1890s. The young lady is wearing a cross around her neck as well as some sort of medallion pinned to her dress, but I have been unable to make out what it is. The both have a look of confidence and love in each other, but unfortunately there is nothing on the back of the image to help identify who this happy couple was.

Monpelier, by population, is the smallest state capital in the United States, but it is well worth a visit. The Vermont State House is very impressive and the "city", if you can call it one, is really nice and very walkable. Montpelier was chartered by the Vermont General Assembly on August 14, 1781. Colonel Jacob Davis, one of the first settlers, selected the name after the French city of Montpellier. The name is a combination of "mont"– hill, and "peller" – bare or shorn. It is very likely that he named Montpelier for the French town of Montpellier, in honor of France's aid during the American Revolution.

Give Thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I recently learned that one of my best friends in college is going to have a baby next spring! I really love this picture from the 1890s that I found recently during my travels. Thomas Paine wrote in 1776, "These are the times that try men's souls." While the fate facing the generation who sought independence from England was probably death on the gallows if they failed, today we are experiencing a time full of turmoil and misfortune that none of us ever expected. But there are so many joys in everyday existence that we take for granted. A mouthful of warm food, a gulp of tasty wine or beer, or the smile of a friend. Take a moment today to contemplate the good things in your life, and appreciate them for what they are. These are the things that make us human, and elevate life above the ordinary.

Old Man Winter?

Given the frigid temperatures we have been having lately, I thought this great tintype would fit right in with that theme!! This older gentleman from the Civil War era is definitely dressed for the cold weather. I really like his black bow tie, overcoat and fur covered hat, which certainly look warm. My guess is that this photo was taken somewhere in New England, but there is really no other clue to support my hypothesis. A very nice winter image.

Vermont Boy

Most of the antique images you will come across have nothing to identify the person(s) in the image, or even where it was taken. However, every now and then I find one that tells a story. This really adorable picture of a little boy would be interesting on its own, but the backmark tells us it was taken by "L.G. Burnham & Co., Burlington, VT." Even better, there is a period inscription in pencil which reads: "Harris Powell Prindle aged 5 years July 8, 1878." The parents of young Harris probably had his photo taken on or around his fifth birthday as a memento, just like a family would do today. That got me thinking though, he must have been quite warm in this little outfit if it was July! The material of his matching coat and pants definitely looks like wool to me. I have tried using a magnifying glass to see what seal is on his buttons, but with no success. Well, now I am very curious to find out what happened to young Harris, but that of course will require a bit more research!! Stay tuned.

The Lost Beauty

This tintype of a young woman during the Civil War period has to be one of my very favorite historic images that I have come across over the years. It is special not only for its crispness and extraordinary detail of her dress and cape, but it is a really powerful image in other ways. The way she seems to hover or float over the floor with the gigantic hoopskirt amazes me. What I also find mesmerizing is the piercing gaze but look of innocence and tranquility on her face. The unknown photographer who took this remarkable picture also lightly tinted her cheeks a rosy color after the image was taken, which only adds to the charm this young woman clearly possessed. What makes me sad is that this young lady must have been near and dear to someone's heart, but there is absolutely nothing on the back of the picture to tell us who she was or where she lived. The black line you can see around the woman's figure indicates that the image was originally placed in a brass mat or preserver for a long time, but sometime during its journey, it was taken out of the case. This lost lady probably never could have imagined that 140 years later, her striking photo would survive to be marveled at and preserved by new generations.

Remembering Our Veterans

To me, today is much more than about having an extra day off from work. It is also about remembering the sacrifice and courage of those brave men and women who are serving in the armed forces today, and those who have given their lives "upon the altar of freedom", as Lincoln said, in times past. Both of my grandfathers served in WWII and I also had an ancestor who fought at the Battle of Gettysburg with the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment. The photo I have posted today is of Captain John Murray, who commanded Company D in the original 5th NH, my current reenactment unit. Murray’s remarkable life story is certainly worthy of remembrance, so please excuse the length of this post. It is worth it!

In 1846 at the age of twenty-two John Murray enlisted as a private in the Third U.S. Artillery at Fort Moultrie in Salisbury, North Carolina and fought in all the major battles of the Mexican War. For his valor during the battle of Chapultepec in 1847, Murray was presented with a Certificate of Merit signed by President Millard Fillmore, which is still in the posession of his descandants today. After the Mexican War, Murray’s regiment was stationed at Fort Constitution in New Castle, New Hampshire, where he met his future wife, eighteen year-old Philadelphia Yeaton, with whom he would have three daughters, Margaret, Caroline, and Lavinia. Murray attained the rank of sergeant in the army but obtained his discharge in 1853. After the outbreak of the Civil War in October 1861, he accepted a commission to command Company D of the Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers. While Captain Murray must have been excited about the prospect of climbing the ranks of the 5th Regiment, on the morning of December 13, 1862 his mind must have contemplated the faces of his wife Phila and his young daughters Margaret, Caroline, and Lavinia back in New Hampshire. And certainly he was still mourning the premature death of his infant daughter Nella, less than two years old, only a month earlier on November 11. Like countless soldiers who risk their lives today and throughout our nation’s history, Captain Murray could only hope that he would eventually return home to embrace his family once again.

As midday arrived on December 13, Colonel Edward Cross went to his regiment of 249 soldiers and 18 officers and told them “it was to be a bloody strife; to stand firm and fire low; to close on their colors and be steady.” The prospects for victory for the 5th and the rest of the Union Army on that winter day were not promising. They faced the daunting task of dislodging the Confederate army from strong defensive positions located on Marye’s Heights behind the town of Fredericksburg. In order to reach the enemy who were massed in a country lane behind a sturdy stone wall, they also had to cross over a seven hundred yard swath of open ground where there virtually no shelter from the withering enemy fire. After the Irish Brigade was savagely beaten back, it was now the 5th New Hampshire's turn to make their courageous but suicidal attempt to charge the Confederate lines. Almost immediately after they rushed into the open, Colonel Cross was severely wounded and knocked to the ground when an enemy shell burst close to him. Almost simultaneously, a confederate shell struck the rear of the regiment, killing Major Edward Sturtevant of Concord. Command of the 5th NH now passed to Captain John Murray, who continued to lead his men through the maelstrom of hot lead and shrieking iron. The New Hampshire men managed to reach the Stratton house, a lone brick residence that stood only 100 yards from the Confederate lines. As wounded men used the house to shield themselves from the deadly fire, Captain Murray led the remainder of the 5th NH onward towards a high board fence that somehow was still standing despite the horrendous volleys which poured forth from the rifles of the Southerners.

By this point, every member of the Fifth’s color guard had been killed or wounded, and other men raced to raise the state and national colors and carry them on towards the enemy. It was here in a matter of a few moments, according to a letter by regimental chaplain Milo Ransom, that Captain Murray picked up the battered staff and shredded silk flag, shouting “These colors never have and never shall be disgraced!” An instant later, Captain Murray’s brave life ended when a Confederate bullet struck him in the head. With the death of Captain Murray, the 5th NH had advanced as far it could. The battle of Fredericksburg was a devastating blow for the 5th NH, in all some 57 men, many of them experienced and knowledgeable officers, were killed or mortally wounded. One can only imagine the feelings and emotions of Captain Murray’s wife and children in late December when they received the following letter from Colonel Cross describing the fallen officer:
“Certainly he had no superior in my regiment. Captain Murray was one of my best friends. I loved him for his sterling honesty, his frankness, and the dependence which could always be placed in him; for his brave and soldierly character. He fell in the front rank of battle-killed instantly-probably suffering no pain. Accept madame, for yourself and children, my kindest sympathy, and if I can ever be of service to the family of my beloved comrade, do not fail to call on me.”

Captain Murray's body was recovered from the battlefield and today he lies in peace in New Castle, NH, next to his wife and daughter.

Yearbook Photo (Class of 1875?)

I really love this image of what seems to be the students of a one-room school house and their teacher, who is definitely the older woman in the middle of the group. This is one of the very few group shots that I have in my collection, mainly because they are rare, and thus, much more expensive that your average antique image. Actually, I came across this one by accident when I bought an old photo album in Vermont a few years ago. I was so happily surprised to see this one in there! I really love the beaming smile on the face of the teenage girl with the long curls sitting directly behind her teacher on the right. Who said people didn't smile in those days! The woman on the far left, who also appears to be much too old to be a student, is holding some sort of scroll or paper in her hand. Maybe she was a music teacher, hard to say. This picture maybe have been taken in the autumn, certainly before it was warm, as the teacher is wearing a cloak and leather gloves. To think that all these kids wwould have trying to learn at the same time is a bit mind-boggling, but they look content.

Interestingly, this photo was taken by "E.M. Johnson, Photographer, Crown Point, N.Y." Crown Point is directly across from Vermont on Lake Champlain, and during the 1700s was an outpost for French (and then after 1758) British troops. Thanks to the wonders of Google, I was able to discover that this photographer, was actually Elbert Johnson, who fought in the Civil War, and then had a fairly prominent studio for many years. His diary was recently published. To learn more, visit: http://www.penfieldmuseum.org/diary.htm Another one of his images can also be found on the web: http://www.flickr.com/photos/20939975@N04/2462518646/

A Lady from Ohio

One aspect I find particularly interesting about antique images is that they can tell us how people lived as much as who they were. A prime example is the chair in this photo from my collection, which features some amazing embroidery that would have been done all by hand! If we could only see it in color! One can occasionally find chairs like this in antique shops today. This carte de visite must have been taken during the early Civil War, by the size of this unknown young woman's hop skirt and the fact she has very large sleeves but the cuffs hug her wrists tightly. The ruffles on her dress are also quite fancy. From examining this image up close, I have discovered that she has a ring on the third finger of her left hand, which of course suggests that she was married and may have had this photo taken in her finest dress for a soldier away from home. The image was taken by A. Higgins, "Photographist" in Elyria, Ohio. Remarkably, more than 230 regiments were formed from Ohio during the Civil War, numbering more than 300,000 men. More than 6,000 of these brave soldiers fell in battle, so it's possible this young woman became a widow. Elyria is located in the northeast section of that state, in Lorain County, and was founded by Herman Ely, who was actually from Massachusetts. To learn more, follow this link: http://elyriapride.elyria.com/ehistory.htm

I Wanna Hold Your Hand!

Ok, I know this lovely couple didn't listen to the Beatles. They were about a hundred years too early for that, but still this is a very nice tintype in a decorative paper sleeve of a couple who obviously loved each other very much. I chose this photo because last weekend we attended the wedding of two good friends out in Las Vegas! It was fun. What is also very interesting about this picture is the woman's belt around her voluminous hoop skirt, which has a clasp in the shape of a large butterfly. It is really beautiful. I have no idea where this image was taken, since there is no photographer's backmark on the reverse side. However, there is a period inscription which reads: "Eugenie." Perhaps it was the pretty woman's name. Oh well, another mystery that will never be solved.

Ghostly Eyes

This incredibly crisp and detailed image of sharp dressed gentleman was taken by "H.L.D. Shephard, Photograph Saloon, South Boston" sometime during the Civil War. What really strikes me about this man is his eyes, which are a bit eerie to me. They must have blue eyes because you can even see his pupils up close! His face bears a uncanny resemblance to Daniel Day Lewis' character "Bill the Butcher" in the amazing movie The Gangs of New York, who was based on a real historical figure in New York City who used that nickname. His real name was William Poole, who was an American butcher, boxer, and gangster. Poole was a devout member of the "Know-Nothing" party during the 1850s, which was very anti-immigrant and xenophobic, especially towards the Irish, which is more than evident in the movie. Poole did die under violent circumstances in 1855, and to learn more, visit http://herbertasbury.com/billthebutcher/billp.asp.

The man in this photo, however, was possibly Irish, as were most residents of South Boston during the nineteenth century. He was apparently fairly affluent as his nice coat with a velvet collar, silk tie and watch chain indicate. Where he was really from, and who he was we'll never know!

The Little Scotsman

Yesterday we had loads of fun going to the 2nd birthday party for Jameson Berry, the son of our really good friend Cheryl from college. He is so cute! Anyway, with all these little kids there, it made me go searching through my collection for a nice children's photograph. This tintype of a little boy (I think?) is certainly one of the more interesting images I have come across lately. He seems to be wearing a traditional Scottish costume, which means this image may have been taken in the British Isles. He is definitely wearing a plaid kilt or tartan and the jacket he has on with the tassels is very interesting. Too bad it's not colored or we might be able to figure out what clan he was from! I really wish I knew more about this picture but there is really nothing to go on, since tintypes rarely have a backmark of the photographer or identification like cartes de visites do. Anyway, this is such an adorable picture I couldn't help adding it to my collection!

Perished in the Flames

Since Halloween is fast approaching, I thought I would post something a bit appropriate!

About a year ago, I published my first book, thanks to Picton Press up in beautiful Rockland, Maine, a very well known genealogical book company. Warning: This is not your typical history book! It is a compilation of descriptions of deadly fires from historic New England newspapers and they can be pretty gruesome! But these reports can also tell us as much about how people lived, as they died centuries ago. I also wrote a brief introduction for the book and published an informational article in New England Ancestors magazine in early 2008 which can be read by clicking on the link found below: http://www.newenglandancestors.org/publications/nea_nea_winter2008_vol9_1_merciless_element.asp
If that doesn't work, let me know and I can email you a copy. I'm not totally sure how I got started on this project in 2006, except that as a youngster my wife had a schoolmate die in a fire, and I have a visited his grave a few times. Also, the Station Nightclub fire in Rhode Island in 2003 really affected me. Anyway, it was two years in the making and now I am working on my next book, which I hope will hit the shelves this time in 2009! To order Perished in the Flames for only $19.95 plus shipping and handling, please call Picton Press in Rockland, Maine, at 1-207-596-7766, visit www.pictonpress.com, or email sales@pictonpress.com. Thanks!

The Man with the Massive Moustache

Today I had the opportunity to pick a nice bunch of cdv's from my friend Marti Jones, who works at the VA Hospital in Manchester, NH. Most of the time I take my work and study of our past seriously, but for anyone who knows me well, injecting some humor into life is never a bad thing. When I looked at this photo, I couldn't help but find it a bit entertaining. This is certainly one of the biggest moustaches I have ever seen in my life! As someone who has also had facial hair for a while, this guy must have experienced some problems eating and getting bits of all sorts of debris in his monumental stache. He must have had to comb it regularly. If he was married, he must not have been too easy or pleasant to give him a kiss either! His black silk cravat (or bow tie) was also tied rather clumsily too for this very early cdv, probably taken at the beginning of the Civil War.


Less humorous is the location where this image was taken, which is Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, indicated on the back of the image. This small city in central PA was affected perhaps more than any other Northern town during the Civil War, other than its neighbor Gettysburg. On October 10, 1862, Confederate General Jeb Stuart led nearly 2000 cavalrymen on a raid into the town, destroying railroads and reeking havoc. The town was occupied by Southern troops a second time less than a year later just before the Battle of Gettysburg in June 1863. Finally, and most devastating, was the third raid on Chambersburg in 1864 by Confederate forces who burned much of the town to the ground after its loyal citizens refused to pay a ransom of $500,000, an outrageous sum at the time. This older man, if he was a resident of Chambersburg, likely bore witness to these destructive events and hopefully lived to tell the tale.

A Boston Beauty

I acquired this captivating image of a teenage girl several weeks ago down in Massachusetts. It was taken at the studio of WH Getchell at 375 Washington Street in Boston probably during the 1870s. She must have been from an affluent family, as the lustrous necklace of pearls around her neck clearly indicates. Her curly locks of brown hair with a ribbon and the innocent yet penetrating gaze are really something special and entrancing. I don't have much to say about this photo other than I really love it and wonder: Who was she?

Mutton Chop Man

The unknown gentleman in this carte de visite, which the backmark indicates was taken by S.J. Thompson at 478 Broadway, Albany, NY, is sporting one of the most popular fashions for men during the Civil War era. When photography first became popular during the 1840s, the trend was for men to be cleanshaven, and the overwhelming number of images from this period show that. By the outbreak of the Civil War, however, facial hair became the rage, and one of the most notable proponents of the side burns or "mutton chops" was Union General Ambrose Burnside of Rhode Island, who was much more successful with his beards than in his military prowess. To read more about him, click in this link http:///www.civilwarhome.com/burnbio.htm

Anyway, the guy in my image definitely has some good size mutton chops and what I also find interesting is that he has a bit of swagger about him, even a confident sneer on his face! He looks like he was enjoying life. He also had a very large watch and chain, which suggests he was doing well financially. Who said people couldn't look happy in old photos?

Workingman's Dead

I bought this large albumen photograph a few weeks ago in Shelburne Falls, Mass. when we were enjoying a nice trip through the western part of the Bay State. I don't normally collect images this large, but there was something about this wonderful photo of working men from the 1890s that really caught my eye and fascinated me. Each of them are at different ages and seem to capture various stages of life. I am particularly drawn to the cocky and bold stare of the youngest man, whose clothes seem much newer and cleaner than the older men on either side of him. His face almost reminds of a young, handsome Marlon Brando. Please click on the picture to get a closer look.

The man with the watch in his pocket on the far right could be an overseer keeping track of time, and the watch and nice vest seem to suggest he was somewhat affluent. The man in the middle is blurry because he must have moved during the exposure. But who were these guys and what job were they working on? It's possible they were masons, given the fact they are standing in front of an old brick building. The older man on the left is leaning on a wooden barrel and below at his feet is what appears to be a a large hammer. Unfortunately, there is nothing on the back of the image to tell us who they were or where, but someone evidently thought it important enough to snap a photograph of them which has survived long after all these men passed on from this world.

Beautiful Couple from Bristol

Yesterday Celia and I had our second wedding anniversary, which took place at Mary's Inn & Restaurant in Bristol, Vermont back on October 8, 2006. Wow, where does the time go? Anyway, last year I had the opportunity to buy a lot of cartes de visites all taken in Bristol, Vermont during the Civil War period, which are fairly rare considering it was a small town then and still is! This is a really nice and touching image of a couple who possibly lived in Bristol during the mid-nineteenth century. I love how this unknown young woman has lovingly placed her hand on what must her husband's shoulder. He was quite a handsome gentleman but his hair was a bit wild that day! They look fairly well to do, definitely not like farmers at all, so I'm wondering if the man was a doctor, lawyer, or something of that sort. The photographer who took this really great image was Irving Dunshee, of Bristol, who according to the Dunshee Family website, was born in Vermont in 1834 and died at age 35 on April 10, 1870 at Bristol and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery there. I have several more of his images which I will be posting here in the future.

Hiking Through the New Hampshire Woods

Yesterday I took advantage of a truly gorgeous and cool autumn day and headed north with my dad to hike up Mount Chocorua in Albany, NH, or at least attempt it. Well, we fought the mountain and the mountain won, but we still had a great time and saw some truly brilliant fall foliage along the way. Since the mid-nineteenth century, the White Mountains have beeen a major American toursit attraction, so it's not surprising that some of the first "mass media" photographs produced featured images of these majestic peaks. There aren't many views in New England that are as stunning as the vista of the craggy peak of Mount Chocorua looming in the distance over Chocorua Lake as you drive by on Route 16.

Anyway, today I have posted for the first time a stereograph card. The stereograph is basically a double set of paper photograph prints mounted on card stock which were viewed through a device called a stereoscope, to produce a three dimensional image. The images were either mounted on the card, or printed directly on it. The two photographs were made simultaneously with a camera with two lenses, the centers of which were 2-1/2 inches apart--the same distance between the center of person's eyes. Thus, each image is what one eye would see. Therefore when looking at the images through a "stereograph," the image appears three-dimensional, and life-sized. In 1861, Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes invented a version of the steroscope viewer, which became the standard, and can still be found in antique shops today.

Perhaps the most famous American photographers who produced stereo cards were Benjamin and Edward Kilburn of Littleton, New Hampshire, who took this image. Interestingly, each of their stereographs was numbered and given a title. The one seen here is No. 125 and known as "The Babbling Brook." It is really a very interesting image of two ladies from the late 1860s who are sitting on a gigantic log on stream somewhere in northern New Hampshire. One of them holds a walking stick, and also further down the log is what appears to be a large blanket. I really like the sharpness of this image. Please click on it to get a closer look. For more information on the Kilburn Brothers, click on http://www.newhampshire.com/historical-markers/kilburn-brothers-stereoscopic-view-factory.aspx

"For Dear Brother"

I acquired this wonderful image of two adorable brothers with matching outfits from my friend Marti Jones, who is a dealer and President of the Photographic Historical Society of New England. Please visit their site at http://www.phsne.org. This is one of those photos that I fell in love with and just had to have it! There is an indication that these two young boys, one slightly older than the other, lived in central Massachusetts, since on the back of the image is the imprint of the photographer which reads: "Lawrence, 188 Main Street, Worcester." Images bearing original notations about the person(s) always increases their value, and human interest. This one is inscribed in period ink on the reverse: "For Dear Brother Alonzo..." So it is probable one of these boys was named Alonzo. Just having this information makes an image so much more intriguing to me.

Another feature of Civil War era images that can help us date them more exactly are tax revenue stamps that were affixed to images roughly between July 1864 and August 1866. During our Civil War, the carte de visite quickly became the most popular medium of photography for soldiers and civilians to send images to each other. Literally millions of images were produced during this craze, which is lucky for collectors today. Seizing upon this phenomenon, however, was the US Government, which was looking for ways to generate revenue to help pay for the war. Does this sound familiar? :) Anyway, Congress passed an act on June 30, 1864 which added a new tax on all "photographs, ambrotypes, daguerreotypes or any other sun-pictures" to be paid for by gluing a revenue stamp on the back of the photograph. The tax was set at 2 cents for a photograph "with a retail value of not over 25 cents , 3 cents for a photo costing over 25 but not over 50 cents; 5c for photos costing over 50c but not over a dollar; and for each additional dollar or fraction of a dollar, another 5 cents. Photographers were also required to "cancel" or date these stamps when the image was sold to the customer, which can often provide an exact date to a collector of when that image was made. The image posted today has a green two-cent revenue stamp on the back featuring George Washington, which means it only costed the boys' parents 25 cents sometime between 1864-66. Still, this is a priceless image to me!

A Southern Belle

This weekend I had the opportunity to attend a show run by the Photographic Historical Society of New England, which was a virtual treasure trove of old photos! I had a difficult time keeping myself (and my checkbook) under control! I bought a number of fantastic images which will be appearing here for your viewing pleasure in the future. Today, I am presenting one of my most interesting finds, a haunting image of beautiful Southern woman holding her summer hat, taken in Winchester, Virginia by Lupton & Brown near the end of the Civil War or immediately after that devastating conflict.

There were very few communities, North or South, that were affected by the war as much as Winchester was. Situated in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, known as the "Breadbasket of the Confederacy", Winchester changed hands over 70 times between Union and Confederate forces from 1862-1864. At least four major battles took place within the town limits, and many other bloody skirmishes nearby. Lincoln's Secretary of War Edwin Stanton summarized his impression of Winchester by noting that "the men are all in the army" and "the women are the devil", while Union General Robert Milroy bluntly said that "Hell is not full enough ... There must be more of these Secession women of Winchester to fill it up." The unknown lady in this historic photograph would have lived through all this turmoil, and a closer examination shows she was wearing a ring on the third finger of one hand, probably a sign of her marital status. It's quite possible her husband fought or even died for the Southern cause, and she had this cdv taken to give to him, which was very common for military families then as it is today. The devil is in the details!

A British Lady

During the Victorian era, the word "lady" carried a great deal of weight; indeed, particularly in England, the term was used to define a woman's social status as a member of the upper classes. One only needs to glance at this striking image from the early 1860s to see that this beautiful young woman was a lady of significant stature and must have made heads turn when she entered a room wearing this gorgeous, but cumbersome crinoline hoopskirt. It looks absolutely majestic, but it must have been a tad difficult to move around in that thing! A closer inspection also reveals this British lady was wearing a hairnet, or snood, and also a cross pendant around her neck. She definitely was a lady of style and substance, but leaves us wondering who she really was. The backside of the photograph tells us it was taken at the studio of "E. Swift & Son Artists & Photographers, 126 Bold Street, Liverpool." Interestingly, Bold Street is one of the most famous streets in all of Liverpool, famous today for its shops and also purported to be haunted. For more, see http://www.icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0300whatson/0800events/2003/10/30/let-s-do-time-warp-again-50061-13572570/

A Trip over Bloody Brook

This past weekend my wife Celia and I had the pleasure of traveling out to western Massachusetts to visit our dear friend from college Jared Rose. This is really a beautiful area and we spent much of our time traveling around Deerfield, one of the most picturesque and historic towns in the entire Bay State. However, some 333 years ago, Deerfield was the site of one of the most horrific encounters between Native peoples and English colonists in our history. On the morning of Saturday, September 18, 1675, about 80 colonial soldiers, nearly all of them from Essex County in Massachusetts (where I hail from) were traveling through the wilderness on their way to the settlement of Hadley, transporting threshed wheat sorely needed by the growing garrison there. As the soldiers crossed a small brook on that late summer day, they stopped to relax and pick some wild grapes that were growing nearby, fed by the pure cool water that would soon be flowing with their blood. Many of them had laid down their matchlock muskets, and were caught off guard when a band of several hundred Native American warriors ambushed them. The English troops stood little chance, and within a short time nearly all of them had been killed. A band of troops under the command of Thomas Mosely arrived at the scene to drive the Indians off, and the next day, they assumed the grim task of burying at least 64 dead colonists in a mass grave that now lies in the front yard of a house a short distance down the street. Looking at this old photo, the monument erected in 1838 marks the spot approximately where the massacre occurred is still there. The old house in the photo is long gone, and today oddly enough, a high school school stands near the spot of one of the bloodiest events in early American history. Bloody Brook, as it became known, flows clear today but only if it could talk, what stories it would tell!

Little Woman

This charming little girl seems to me an incarnation of a character from Louisa May Alcott's famous 1869 novel, Little Women. I am simply fascinated by the wistful gaze on this girl's face. You could say she was definitely "photogenic." The unknown photographer who produced this tintype also did a very nice job tinting her cheeks, coloring the lovely plaid dress and gilding the pages of the book she is resting her hands on. The quilt used the to cover the table next to her has a beautiful pattern and is wonderful photographic evidence of 19th century textiles. Sadly, this young girl will also forever remain anonymous but she is still a great joy to look at and wonder who she was. Please click on the image to get a closer look.

I thought I would post something a little different for everyone today. I woke up early this morning, and the thick fog and misty atmosphere got me in the mood to watch a scary movie that evoked a forboding sense of our dark past or imagination. As some of you may know, I have been a big fan of vintage horrow flicks since I was a little kid. A while ago at Best Buy I picked up this amazing and really cheap dvd collection of fifty old horror movies dating from 1920 through the 1960s! So today I thoroughly enjoyed watching the classic 1920 silent film "Mr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" starring John Barrymore, the brilliant actor who was Drew's grandfather. Barrymore's performance as the charitable young doctor who transforms into a hideous fiend that roams the streets of London is really incredible and compelling to watch. This very early movie also starred the beautiful Nita Naldi, an American actress from New York, who played the young Italian dancer who Mr. Hyde seduces. If you would like to watch the whole film, which is only about an hour long, please click on this link: http://www.archive.org/details/DrJekyllandMrHyde You won't be disappointed!

Captain Ahab?

This headshot of an unidentified Civil War era gentleman has always reminded me of Herman Melville's immortal character, Captain Ahab, in his masterpeice Moby Dick. Actually, the man's face bears a striking resemblance to the late brillant actor Gregory Peck, who gave one of his very best performances in the captivating 1956 film adaptation of Melville's novel.

"Captain Ahab stood erect, looking straight out beyond the ship's ever-pitching prow. There was an infinity of firmest fortitude, a determinate, unsurrenderable wilfulness, in the fixed and fearless, forward dedication of that glance. Not a word he spoke; nor did his officers say aught to him; though by all their minutest gestures and expressions, they plainly showed the uneasy, if not painful, consciousness of being under a troubled master-eye. And not only that, but moody stricken Ahab stood before them with a crucifixion in his face; in all the nameless regal overbearing dignity of some mighty woe."

(Moby Dick, Chapter 28)

Who the guy in this picture was we'll never really know, but the photographer's backmark on the reverse side of the image tells us that it was taken at the studio of Robert J. Chute at 13 Tremont Row in downtown Boston, not in New Bedford!

Three Brothers?

Celia bought this striking daugurreotype for me a few weeks ago at Prozo's auction house in Rutland, Vermont. This image, and others which will appear sometime on my blog, came from an estate sale in upstate New York, so it possible this image was taken in or around New York City, during the 1850s. The two older young gentleman are wearing high or "stand-up" collars which were popular during the 1840s and the subsequent decade, though I must say they look pretty uncomfortable! Even though they are staring hard towards the camera, there is a sense of closeness and camraderie here; the young man on the right has his right arm behind the young boy and the boy has placed his right on the leg of what was probably his oldest brother. Perhaps what is most remarkable about this historical image is what was revealed when I took the dag out of its case to clean it. Scrawled in pencil in a shaky nineteenth century hand is the following inscription: "Allen, 13 Feb 10, 1854, Sam, 19, 1854, John, 22, 1854." We are very fortunate to know what these young men's names were and probably when this priceless photo was created! As with all the other images I have posted, please click on any of them for a closer look!

The Little Drummer Boy

Since I began playing the drums myself at a very young age, you will probably understand why I absolutely had to have this photo the first time it caught my eye at a local shop in Exeter, NH! It was taken in Boston at the studio of JW Black at 173 Washington Street sometime during the 1860s, revealed by the photographer's backmark on the reverse side of the carte de visite. Unfortunately when the person who glued the very fragile image to the white card, they didn't do a very decent job and ended up creating a few wrinkles in the photo which may appear like black lines across my scan. Still this is a wonderful portal to the past! Even though he is wearing what appears to be a dress, which was commonly worn by both little boys and girls at this time, this remarkable child has an interesting, pensive look on his face and has a tight grip on the drum stick. Who knows, maybe he went on to rock it out with John Philips Sousa!!

Three Friends

I love how the anonymous photographer posed these three young women in this tintype that was created sometime during the 1860s. They look so comfortable around each other, and I adore the looks of confidence and contentment on their faces. If these young ladies had lived today, they probably would have been sorority sisters! One wonders what book she holds in her hands, and it suggests that these young women may have possibly been students together or perhaps even young teachers? No matter, it looks as if they definitely enjoyed each other's company. Hopefully they remained close friends for the duration of their lives.

A Mother and Her Son

This touching ambrotype of a mother tenderly wrapping her arm around a young boy, probably her son, was actually the first antique photograph I ever purchased some eight years ago at a shop in the charming town of Upton, Massachusetts. I guess for that reason alone, I have always been attached to it, but the image itself is very interesting for the details it reveals. Mom has a very large brooch pinned to her dress and she is also wearing a large gold locker around her neck which has been highlighted by the unknown photographer. She has also has ring on the third finger of her right hand and their cheeks have also been tinted red by the artist. What I like most about this picture is that although the young woman and child both have serious expressions on their faces, they obviously loved each other very much when they sat to have their "likeness" taken sometime during the late 1850s. Just who they were or where they lived in America will always remain a mystery.

The Newly Weds

As some of you may know, for about eight years now I have been collecting early photographic images, including dauguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and carte de visites, which became immensely popular just prior to and during the Civil War from 1861 through 1865. In my humble opinion, these objects are not just old photos, but they are portals to our past. The images that I will be posting here are moments frozen in time, and as far as I know, are unique and irreplaceable artifacts. What makes them often sad is that we will probably never know who these people were or what happened to them in the journey that is life. But I guess that makes them mysterious and much more intriguing. To me, the photo I have chosen for my first post, is especially poignant, as it documents a very young pair of newly weds beginning their life together during the late 1840s or very early 1850s. The beautiful young woman is purposefully displayed the wedding ring on her left hand as her handsome beau lovingly placed his arm around her shoulder. I purchased this amazing dauguerreotype in an antique store in Northwood, NH, but who knows how it got there! One can only hope it was treasured by this couple during their lives, and that they lived happily ever after.