Posted 12 years ago
scottvez
(977 items)
This Civil War era mourning brooch measures about 2" X 1 1/2" with a small image of a Confederate Officer in the center.
The Confederate officer is wearing a standard Confederate double breasted frock coat. The two hash marks, rank of a 1st Lieutenant, can be seen on the right of his collar. He has a large goatee that hides the other side of the collar, but it should have the same insignia.
The large beveled glass over the image is severely scratched and makes photographing a little tough. The image itself appears to be in excellent condition.
The brooch has seen better days. There is damaged to the front black enamel and the pinback looks to have been originally top to bottom and then resoldered after a break.
Reproduction of these images in any form is not authorized.
scott
Thought it was Nathan Bedford Forrest at 1st. A real look-alike.
I agree, the beard/ goatee is similar to what Forrest wore.
scott
Thanks harborguy and vetraio.
scott
Thanks for looking walksoftly.
scott
I like the 'rustic' look of it :-)
Not me!
I'd prefer the brooch itself was pristine. The glass scratches give the false impression that the image itself is damaged.
As with anything condition determines value. This has a fairly good value in present condition, but in pristine condition I could add even more.
scott
Glass can be polished. Be a tedious job but can be done. If there is an optical lab in your area that does special lenses, they would surely give you a few of the diff. grades compound. (As a teen, I worked in an optical lab). Main problem is keeping off of the silver.
Thanks for the idea-- I'll look into it.
scott
Glass is no really as hard as most people think. Of course since you do not have a form or saddle of the right curvature, it will be a bit wavy but I'm sure it was originally.
Bon chance.
I am going to leave as is for now but thanks again for the input.
scott
Thanks packrat and marc.
scott
Thanks petey and bratjdd.
scott
Thanks for looking antiquesareamazing.
scott
Thanks pw and packrat.
scott
Thanks for looking tubber.
scott
Thanks official, marc, mikko and musik!
scott
Thanks for looking bratjdd!
scott
Mourning broaches traditionally have hair of the deceased somewhere on or within the broach. Will you confirm if that is what the dark material is surrounding picture section of the broach?
No hair on the front.
Go Braves!
scott
Thanks bellin-- hope you had a good weekend!
scott
Thanks antiquesareamazing.
scott
Thanks for looking official!
scott
Recent post of another Confederate image:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/82702-civil-war-confederate-2nd-lt-tintype#comment-307387
scott
Thanks tom and tlmbaran.
scott
Thanks again for looking p...!
scott
Thanks pat!
scott
Thanks for looking carolyn-- check my other postings for several more Civil War images (Union and Confederate).
scott