Posted 8 years ago
frank1956
(26 items)
Here is a pretty cool Ambrotype of a US Naval Officer circa 1856-1864. This is based on his rank marking on his sleeve this would make him an ensign. Image is a little dark. 1852 there where no ensign rank in the USN, then in 1862 ensign rank was added with no star on sleeve, then in 1864 there was a star added to the sleeves for all Naval line officers.
Nice image-- can't see the star very well. Are you certain it is a star vs. a button?
If it is a star, I would certainly date it to Civil War era. The format (ambrotype) would be highly unusual for a post war image.
scott
From what I can tell they are stars, I could be wrong. I do notice a shoulder board right shoulder your left. It is an ambrotype photo thin glass.
He is holding a naval sword as well.
He's definite Navy. I just can't see the star. I have seen British Navy images with button decoration on the cuff (could be multiple buttons vs. single).
In the UK, ambrotypes were made through the 19th century. In the US it is rare to find post- Civil War ambrotypes.
scott
It looks to me he is hold a US Naval Regulation model 1852 sword. I believe you can see what looks to be or resembles dolphins head on the sword near his buckle. I am not sure about post CW. According to the Cased images & Tintype Kwik Guide thin single glass on ambrotypes where used from 1856-1864 which this one is, so it does date to at least that time frame.
I have added to more images one is an 1864 Naval officer in uniform and the other is an Royal Navy uniform pattern 1864.
Yep-- looks like an USN sword and I agree US ambrotypes were rarely made after the Civil War (said that is post #1 and #4).
I am just fixated on the star/ button!
scott
Sorry misread your post. No matter which side still a cool picture!!
Could you add a photo of the image out of the matting?
The backdrop looks unusual-- you may be able to track down the photo location based on the backdrop.
It is a longshot, but I look at tens of thousands of images each month and would be happy to look out for the same backdrop in a cdv image. Many cdvs contain photographer imprints on the back of the photograph.
scott
Scott,
Thanks. Here is the image outside of the matting.
From the information I have about this photo it was found in New Hampshire, not sure if that will help or not.