Posted 13 years ago
scottvez
(977 items)
This is an unusual image that depicts one family's tragic loss in the American Civil War.
Two children have been photographed flanking their father's bummers cap. The metal "hunting horn" insignia (Infantry) has been gold tinted.
I wish I knew an ID on the children or father.
Image is a Sixth plate tintype that is currently uncased. The image does show that it was cased at one time as the matting has left its mark on the image surface.
Reproduction of this image in any form is not authorized.
Thanks for looking.
Scott
Thanks,as always, for looking packrat!
Scott
I was reading on this very subject over the weekend. Identifying these items is nearly impossible. A part of history lost forever.
Thanks for sharing it.
I don't have any expectations of an ID just wish that it came with some ID to "complete the story".
Scott
Thanks walksoftly.
Scott
I always want to know the story. Did the family fall into poverty as their father was gone? Move in with family? Who the girls married, who survived and on and on. I have gotten pretty far with my imagination sometimes.
We have similar thoughts/ questions Amber. This one really begs for the "rest of the story".
Scott
I wonder, Scott - and I don't think this takes away from the daughter's sincere grief - if the cap isn't a photographer's prop for these sad occasions. It just seems odd that the cap would have remained home or been sent back to the family.
Chris
Thanks for looking and commenting Chris. I would think it is more likely the actual cap.
It was not uncommon for the bodies and personal effects of deceased soldiers to be shipped home.
I have seen documented uniforms of Civil War KIAs that were retained by the family for years after the death.
In my years of Civil War collecting, I have only seen a handful of these mourning images with a military hat.
Scott
Thanks mikko.
Scott
Thanks for looking macca.
Scott
Thanks for looking brunelle. If you have time be sure to check out my other antique photograph posts.
Scott