Images & Prints

THE "Artist of the Confederacy", Conrad Wise Chapman

Soldier & Artist, Fighting in BOTH Theaters

His ALL-ORIGINAL March, 1863 Oil Painting of "Cavalry Camp of South Carolina Holcomb Legion" in New Kent County, VA

Given as a Gift (and noted on back of the painting) to Rev. Dr. Lyman in Virginia

Within the Book "Conrad Wise Chapman Artist and Soldier of the Confederacy” by Author Ben L. Bassham, ONLY about 40 of Chapman's Paintings are Known to Survive

Though the Etching of this Painting (By Chapman's Father) is in the Valentine Museum, Mr. Bassham noted THIS PAINTING in his book as the "Lost Painting"! (Oh, no she IN NOT LOST!)

Indeed, this is a most historically important, "priceless", and critical piece of not ONLY "Civil War" art, and NOT ONLY being CONFEDERATE wartime artwork from the soldier/painter recognized as THE "Painter of the Civil War", but also so irreplaceable as early American/19th Century Art.  This is soldier and artist, Mr. Conrad Wise Chapman's 100% ORIGINAL painting and framing, of the "Cavalry Camp of the South Carolina Holcomb Legion".  It is a 14" x 10" oil painting on  panel which was painted in March, 1863, in New Kent County, Virginia. It is 19.5” x 15.5” in it’s original frame. The scene is laden with much detail and history: 9 horses all defined in a corral, men playing poker with rifles and swords by their side, the man cooking by the tree and 20 plus tents in the distance. The attention to detail of the figures and camp/war implements are both historically accurate and interesting. The slave at the thatched lean-to windbreak is a wonderful story of the era. The mounted picket in the background adds immediacy to the scene, letting us know that it is not a rear-echelon camp. The tents appear to be set up against hollow tree trunks used as chimneys. It is signed and inscribed by the artist. He painted this scene for the Reverend Dr. Lyman. The etching of this painting, by his father, is at the Valentine Museum. It is imaged on pg. 102 of Ben L. Bassham's text, "Conrad Wise Chapman Artist and Soldier of the Confederacy”. Ben noted it as Chapman‘s, “lost painting.”. It is one of very few known cavalry encampment scenes by Chapman. According to Bassham, only about forty of his Civil War paintings are known to exist, the majority were painted on wood panel appearing fiber board from England. A conservator who has worked with the Art Institute of Chicago, performed an extensive, several hour evaluation of this painting. The painting has never sustained any significant damage, and it has never been restored, resurfaced or cleaned.

The Holcombe South Carolina Legion was named after Lucy Holcombe Pickens. The Legion was active in the defense of Charleston Harbor. They also were active in other battles in South Carolina, (Edisto Island, Stony Creek Station, Nottoway Bridge, Jarratt's Station, Bermuda Hundred, Ft. Stedman); in Virginia, (Rappahannock Station, 2nd Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Petersburg Siege, Five Forks and Appomattox Court House);  and in Mississippi, (Jackson Siege). 

     Conrad Wise Chapman was born in Washington D.C. in 1842. As the son of the Alexandria, Virginia painter, John Gadsby Chapman, he began his artistic training early in Italy at age 8. In 1861, He returned to America to join the Confederate forces in Kentucky, participating in the Siege of Vicksburg and the Battle of Shiloh before being transferred back to his native Virginia in 1862. In 1863 he was sent to Charleston, where he was detailed to sketch the city's fortifications, under General P.G.T. Beauregard. These sketches were the basis for the series of thirty-one oil paintings, which he painted in Rome, depicting the forts and batteries, and were his most notable artistic achievement, as well as holding great historical significance. The set of thirty-one paintings are at the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond. 

     According to Ben Bassham, Chapman was without doubt the most important artist of the Confederacy. He may be little known because his 1860's work is rare and seldom seen. Virtually all of his Civil War paintings are at the Museum of the Confederacy and the Valentine Museum. He served 4 years as a Confederate soldier, unlike other Confederate artists such as Edwin Caledon Bruce, William D. Washington, and John Adams Elder, none of who had field experience. Most of the art was rather cliché vs Chapman's "Ring of Truth" - all first hand. 

     There is no near counterpart among the far greater number of Northern artists, the best including Winslow Homer, Edwin Forbes and Alfred Waud, all of who were "special artists" who follow Union armies and sent back sketches to Harpers Weekly and other periodicals as "artists - correspondences", they were non-combatants, which affected detailing and accuracy. Chapman was both artist and soldier, and was unequaled in the sophistication in his training and sheer talent. He was trained beginning at a young age in Europe by his father. His paintings and sketches have been used countless times as illustrations in books and articles. He served as a soldier in 3 theaters of war between 1861 and 1864. The intricacy and detailing in his paintings are as about as close to a snapshot photograph as any that would come from the hand of a painter. His skillful detailing and use of shadows is exceptional. 

     Chapman’s style reflects exquisite detailing and shadowing. His brilliance was creating “snapshots” of history, specifically moments of calm, soldiers playing cards inside a tent, images of comrades roughing it in the great outdoors or pausing to chat during their daily routines, even sharing a meal. These were not images of terror, the chaos of battle, exhausting marches, months of monotony, illness and homesickness. Painted toward the end of the war, Chapman’s encampment images are laden with nostalgia for an irretrievable past. The slave "nooning" in the Camp is a symbol of the “Old South”. Most Civil War art was produced following the conflict by artists who never saw battle.

     After Appomattox, his art career ended with the exceptions of Mexican landscapes. Chapman was in Mexico for 7 years, and his "Valley of Mexico" painting has been compared to Mexico's Jose Maria Velaso, a 19th century landscape artist. With the defeat of the Confederacy, and the burning of the major cultural centers and cities in the South, 19th century Southern genre and "Old South/Old Virginia" paintings and art were destroyed and forever lost to history. Along with the Revolutionary War, and the settling of the West, the Civil War is considered as a "iconogenerative" event of 19th century American art.

    In the summer of 2008, both The Gibbes Museum and The Yale Art Gallery were contacted regarding the possible sale of this painting. The Gibbes Museum did not have acquisition funds.  Yale arranged for the conservator's visit, and communicated their interest in purchasing the painting at $950,000. Yale justified their price by comparing the Chapman to an Eastman Johnson painting, as well as to Winslow Homer's "Home Sweet Home," which sold in 1997 for $2,642,000. Johnson's only Civil War painting which has sold publicly is entitled, "The Little Soldier", which is a rather simple portrait lacking the detail of my Chapman. An accurate comparable would have been The Carneigie Museums "Union Soldiers Accepting a Drink" by Johnson, which is similar in size and detail to my Chapman. Southern Civil War paintings are ASTRONOMICALLY rare. Some years back, The Museum of the Confederacy purchased Julio's "The Last Meeting" {of Lee and Jackson} for $2.5 million. Although both enormous and historically important, the painting was commissioned and painted after the Civil War.

NOT SO with this March, 1863 Painting by Chapman--in which (as he was oft to do) he "inserted" himself in the painting--he is the soldier in the foreground within the tent--back facing us--in red shirt!

ONLY the FINEST from Champion Hill Relics to YOU.

$1.75 Million

Again, compared to others POST-WAR selling around $3 Million....this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity & price

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Click Below For FULL Conservator's Report/Authentification

 

 

PUBLISHED Ultra-Rare HALF-PLATE CS Texas Soldier's Double-Armed Image, Wearing English-Imported "Snake Buckle" Belt Rig, Double Barrel Shotgun & Revolver, and Bible in his Front "Battle-Shirt" Pocket!

Published on Page 58 of "Still More Confederate Faces" Reference Book of CS Images by Author D. A. Serrano

You know my mantra (besides "NO UNHAPPY CUSTOMERS!") is GIVE ME RARITY...GIVE ME CONFEDERATE...and GIVE ME the HIGHEST QUALITY to offer, and you've got John Spicer of Champion Hill Relics "figured out"!  Offered here is an astounding, ultra-rare, double-armed, equipped with an English-imported "Snake buckle" belt rig, HALF-PLATE sized image of a PUBLISHED Southeast Texas soldier, found on page 58 of the seminole Confederate image/picture reference guide book, "Still More Confederate Faces" by author D. A. Serrano.  This Confederate image has EVERYTHING going for it:

Though the book calls it a 4th-plate, AND claims he has a flintlock-conversion musket, YES, EVEN the "EXPERTS" get it wrong!  Simple magnification shows CLEARLY it is a DOUBLE-BARREL shotgun.  Worst mistake yet is that , ss you can see with your standard Image Sizing reference chart, this is a COMPLETE HALF-PLATE sized image that was slightly shortened by 1/4" only on one side to fit this most unique, one-of-a-kind seen brass image frame.  Half-plate's for images measure 5.5" by 4.5.  This image here measures exactly 5.5" by 4.25".  Your 4th-plate images measure a mere 4" by 3 and 1/8".  Thus this HALF-PLATE image DWARFS any 4th-plate image!  Finding a CONFEDERATE image THIS LARGE or LARGER is just....my Lord....almost UNSEEN!

GOOD LUCK finding a PUBLISHED, HALF-PLATE, DOUBLE-ARMED, BIBLE-IN-POCKET, Snake Buckle-wearing TEXAS SOLDIER--FULL POSE-- anytime soon, and ANYWHERE near this price!

$3200

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Wonderful--and Sad--ID'ed CDV of Soldier & His Wife

Musician Charles M. Colby and Wife Lucy A. Colby

Charles was Drummer in Co. F, 11th New Hampshire

Signed both Front & Back - EXCELLENT, VIVID Image

Sadly, Charles died of disease on 8/14/1863  --His Wife's Pension Application Accompanies the Image

As Well as Colby's Military Records

There's always something so "haunting" about Civil War images--regardless of whether we know who they are of or not.  "Ghostly" faces from so long ago is all we have to see the REAL soldiers (and in this case, his beloved wife) that had to face and endure those cataclysmic 4 years of our most terrible American war.  And here, we have a most pristine, vividly clear and crisp image of a loving husband and his betrothed--thankfully, identified by the signings both front and back.  This is the image of drummer Charles M Colby, of Company F, 11th New Hampshire Infantry, who enlisted at the age of 23 on August 7th, 1862.  Sadly....he would barely live another year--dying from disease at military hospital in Covington, Kentucky on August 29th, 1863....leaving his wife Lucy forever from this world.  Show below are his military records, as well as the widow's pension of Miss Lucy, notarized for the US Pension Office on January 29th, 1902.  The front of the image has the clear hand-written names of " C M & L A Colby", and the back says "Mrs. D. M. Wright...love from (illegible) A Colby".  He is clothed in his finest Musician's uniform in the image, and she in her classic period finer dress gown.

This is the real "face" of that war...and the sadness and tragedy that hundreds of thousands faced...

$350  Sale Pending

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Excellent ID'ed 6th Plate Image & Whitney Pocket Revolver

ID'ed to Pvt. William Halfmoon, 5th Kansas Cavalry

Gutta-Percha 6th Plate Ambrotype Image, Halfmoon Holding Whitney Pocket Revolver in Image, Behind Image His Name "W. Halfmoon" Barely Visible, AND Initials "W.H." Carved Clear & Large Into Grip of Revolver

This is the image of Private William Halfmoon (gee....."Halfmoon" for a last name, and from Kansas....Injun background?!  More on THAT in a moment!) of the 5th Kansas Cavalry. As per his official records and muster rolls, he enlisted in 6/1/63, at Ft. Leavenworth, KS, and would serve the entire war, but be listed as "deserted" on 7/12/65!  He received pension after the war (record shown below), and I have the historical info on his unit and activities.  According to his records, he was a 24 year-old teamster when he enlisted, with "dark complexion, black eyes, black hair.... 5 foot 8 inches tall....(definitely an Injun with that description!  See records also shown below.)  His image is a 6th-plate AMBRO, and clearly a cavalrymen with piped tunic (cuffs and collar) and multi-button front, and an wonderful gutta-percha case.  Behind his image you can BARELY read "W. Halfmoon" against that black backdrop plate insert.  His Whitney Pocket revolver is in NRA/Flayderman's FINE condition (yes, it's THAT good!), and has his initials "W.H." largely and crisply hand-carved into the right-hand grip.  Perfect mechanics, still some original case-coloring (fading, but there), crystal-clear Whitney maker's mark, matching serial numbers...you name it.  100% complete and all-original.

No "tricks" with this "treat"!  It's so nice and cool, I'll let all the pictures and his historical information show below do the selling for me!

SOLD

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Wonderful Pocket-Sized, Unique CS Tintype Image

Very Well-To-Do, Dress Uniformed Confederate Sitting Pose

Dress Tunic, Vest, Cravat, Pocket Watch & Chain/Fob, Within "Booklet" Style Case

Possibly An Officer--Probably Cavalryman--Cuff Piping Visible, Also Badge On Coat

I have personally never seen exactly this style of encasement for an image--especially a CS image--and being less than 9th-plate size (tintype measuring roughly 1.5" by 1.25").  Beautifully foiled edging around the glass and image, with great clarity for the image detail (despite being so small!)  As you "image guys" know, the smaller AND the great the clarity for the small size, the more desirable and collectable.  He is finely dress, and clearly a "man of means", being fully adorned with dress tunic (multi-button front), excellent full vest, dress cravat around his neck with his dress white shirt, watch chain and fob visible, a large "badge" on his coat (boy, don't you wish we knew what organizational badge it is!) and cuff piping clearly visible.  Appears to be a seated pose, with unique background (high fortress tower over his shoulder in the left-hand upper side of the image).  This backdrop has been seen in other CS images associated with SC and VA soldiers.  His collars are ever-so-slightly turned down--combined with the fact you can't see beyond the diamond-shaped cuff piping, it is impossible to tell whether he's and officer or not (if we could see rank insignia on his collars, or "chicken guts" officer piping along his sleeve behind the cuff piping, we'd know for sure).  Given his clear wealth and status, he has all the feel of an officer--or a very ornate and cavalier cavalryman, as my personal assessment seeing thousands of CS images now over the many years.  The "booklet" style and "pocket"-sized case is complete and intact, having fully-functional brass-mounted closure tongue to receiver on the fold-over flap, a padded separate "page" cover (ornately gold gilted around the edges), and then the image itself, obviously.  The case measures 2" by 1.75".  No repairs or need for any.  Image is very clear, with usual crazing to be found on such a small image (and given Confederate image quality being notoriously poorer at times, this one is NICE.)  Obviously a pocket-sized and carried treasured reminder of a loved one "gone to war".  His fate and identity are unknown, but we have his beautiful, yet ghostly image remaining yet today to remind us that he was once a young, eager, and fire-eating Southerner of wealth and "dash", who left a loved one behind with his memory and his image--as he went-off into the carnage and hurricane of death of our most terrible and bloody years of American war ever fought.

SOLD

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Nice Upper-Classman Cadet Sgt. Civil War-Era CDV

West Point (See Backdrop) ???

Ok, all my West Point historians out there....is this the uniform and backdrop (in the image) for a "West Pointer"???  No question it is an upper-classman Military School Cadet Sergeant of the Civil War-era.  Nice, clear CDV.  No backmarking or ID.  Just a cool image.  Anyone got any clues as to similar ID'ed school/cadet images with this photographers standard cadet backdrop?  Bet someone out there knows!

$150

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Unworldly Rare 6th-Plate Tin Type "Mammy" Image

Full Sitting Pose of Colored Young Woman, In Frilly Dress with Gilted Jewelry

This is such an amazingly rare image.  For those of you who aren't "image guys" and in the "know," the only thing rarer than CS or Injun images from the 1850's and 1860's are black images.  This came directly from an old Southern family, right out of Nashville, Tennessee.  What a spectacular Southern 6th-plate, excellent clarity, full-pose image of this very young black lady.  Given that her attire--fancy dress, earrings, ring on finger, and that she could afford to have her image taken in the first place--tells you this was one very special lady, whoever she was.  Only a "mammy" or "Grand Dame" hostess of an extremely wealthy Southern plantation would be allowed or afforded to be so attired and adorned, and THEN photographed.  Or better yet, perhaps a free woman married to a free black man (of which there were more than you'd guess in the South, and those who were "free men of color" were very successful and wealthy, often owning slaves of their own!)  Because the history of photography is so well known, this tin-type imaging photography (Ferrotype), was patented in 1856 by Peter Neff, and the last tin-type images made were in 1866, so we clearly have the firm, bracketed date of this image. 

Where else will you find a "mammy" Civil War image?  One of you reenactors should buy this, and pull it out to show to your pards and say, "Want to see a picture of my wife!?"

SOLD

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Shockingly Rare CS Steamboat Captain ID'ed Image (9th Plate Ambro)

Captain Christian Smedley (Paducah, KY), Captain of the CS Steamer Lynn Boyd

Ferried Regiments to Fort Henry, Including CSA Major Gilmore & General Tilghman on Feb. 4, 1862

After Fort Henry Fell, Captain Smedley (and Sister Ships) Scuttled Their Steamers at the Mouth of the Duck River

Signed with His Signature on Back of Image Case -- Have Original Copy of His 1860 Census

Census Showing his age in Paducah, Kentucky (21 Years Old) and Occupation "Steam Boat Pilot"

The rarest of ALL Confederate images are naval/marine images.  Bar-none.  Only mounted Confederate images (and ID'ed big-named officers) can come close.  Offered here is a truly historic gem, which is my sheer pleasure and joy to bring to the "light of day" after over 145 years of being hidden away in seclusion.  This beautiful, crisp, and clear 9th-plate ambro fully-cased image is that of Captain Christian Smedley, who lived in Paducah, Kentucky in the 1860 census (see original copy below), having a family, and showing his occupation as "steamboat pilot".  The tale of his adventures on the muddy waters of the South is documented well with his actions as the Captain of the CS Steamer "Lynn Boyd".  Shown below is an original transcription from the "Richmond Dispatch" newspaper article printed on February 12, 1862, chronicling the events surrounding the Lynn Boyd and other unfortunate CS steamers (also referenced in the OR's--see image below).  Captain Smedley with the "Lynn Boyd," as well as the "Dunbar", ferried regiments to Fort Henry, including their commanders of CSA Major Gilmor and overall commander General Lloyd Tilghman (also native Paducah, Kentucky son).  You know your history, and the fate of Fort Henry against the overwhelming Federal armada assembled against her, and Tilghman's refusal to leave the fort before surrendering, and thus spend his time in a prison camp with his men (before being exchanged in September, and later DYING at the Battle of Champion Hill!   I am OBVIOUSLY a Tilghman fan!)  Once Henry fell, the CS steamers were doomed, and they all had to be scuttled.  The "Lynn Boyd" was scuttled by Captain Smedley at the mouth of the Duck River, where she lies still, in the murky depths.  The name of the steamer "Lynn Boyd" was in honor of the famous 1850's Democrat politician of Kentucky, who in 1850, was a strong proponent to the "Compromise" omnibus bill regarding slavery expansion into the new states and territories. 

The image is crystal-clear, and the hard-case is stunningly beautiful, with a gorgeous blue pad, and no tears, rips, repairs, or damage.  Removing his image, you clearly see his signature on the japanned back of the image case (with ambro's, you need a dark background to let the ghostly image has color!)  You will quickly notice it is HIS signature, since it is an identical copy of his signature on the 1860 census (you had to personally sign the census).  When this image was taken is not known, but we can surmise quickly and rationally using the facts..  Given his very young age at the time of the census in 1860 (21 years old), he obviously wasn't a pilot long.  And using his "Captain" rank in his signature, but "pilot" status for his occupation in 1860, it is 100% certain his rank indicates his military rank, and thus must be an early 1861 image taken while in Paducah (Paducah had image takers, and it didn't stay friendly in Confederate control for long!)

Good luck finding a better ID'ed Confederate naval image with such cool, killer, complete, documented history...

SOLD

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Complete Soldier Grouping, ID Provenance to Pvt. John Anderson

Pike Guards/34th Arkansas Infantry

Triple-Armed 6th Plate Image (Double-Barrel Shotgun, Knife, M1849 Colt 6" Barrel)

Comes WITH THE Double-Barrel Shotgun AND 6" Barrel Pre-War Colt

Purchased 2008 from the Anderson Family (now residing in Murfreesboro, Arkansas)

Any devout and true collector--or simply an admirer and "student" of the War--treasures even the smallest artifact from that long ago era, when the Nation fell into the seemingly bottomless abyss of political upheaval.  The world that every man, woman, and child lived within in 1861 was about to change forever.  The effects of that war stain us today--but also give us spiritual guidance and wisdom not only about our forefathers and their great sacrifices, but about how we can live our lives today with the same code of honor, duty, loyalty, and righteousness in the face of tyranny and injustice.  Every tiny artifact--down to every dug fired minnie' ball--is yet another small irreplaceable "time capsule" that bespeaks of that age so long ago.

And if the smallest artifact can do that, imagine what such a grouping as this can interpret about that place and time.

Offered here is the phenomenal grouping sold by the Anderson family estate last year (late 2008, in Murfreesboro, Arkansas) of whom they represent as being from their ancestor, Private John Anderson.  At the time of the sale, the family (in rough economic straights, as we all know about the fall of last year!), sold two images, being that of both John Anderson, and his older brother Robert Anderson.  With the images (both men triple-armed almost identically), came this Colt 6" M1849 Pocket Revolver, and double-barrel shotgun.  To make a long story short (and there were many twists and turns in getting the image, weapons, identification information, etc), it was originally my friend in Arkansas who physically went in response to the Arkansas newspaper advertised sale, and was able to acquire all of the pieces.  I have been blessed enough to acquire the image offered here, bring of John Anderson (the younger brother) with these two weapons--his brother's image was already sold to another Trans-Mississippi collector (which I am DESPERATELY trying to buy the brother's image from!)  As with any "family provenance", one always must begin the immediate investigation of legitimacy into the ID of the purported ID.   What I found was an incredible plethora of information regarding the substantiation of indeed the existence of the Anderson brothers, who enlisted in May of 1861, as eager "fire-eating" recruits, into the "Pike Guards".  The Pike Guards officially mustered into Arkansas State Troops service on May 2nd, 1861, assigned as Company C  under Colonel Gratiot's command of Arkansas State Troops (muster roll information pictured below and will accompany this grouping).  They would march into Missouri and fight at the Battle of Wilson's Creek--literally armed with exactly what the Anderson brother images show: shotguns, hunting rifles, flintlock muskets, knives, pistols, and whatever weapons the soldiers themselves literally brought from home.  Being their "baptism of fire" at Wilson's Creek, they lost 12 men in the fight.  Just a couple months after the battle, the Arkansas State Troops were officially disbanded, favoring their enlistment into "regular" Arkansas Confederate regiments.  The Anderson brothers would remain together, enlisting together within the 34th Arkansas Infantry Regiment in June (formation of the companies, forming into the official regiment soon thereafter).  Both of their enlistment of service are noted within the National Archives and NPS Soldier's and Sailor's System (pictured below--also will accompany this ensemble).  Both brothers--being early recruits in May 1861, and actually "seeing the elephant" in battle--were quickly promoted to the rank of Sergeant in different companies within the 34th  (Robert, being the old brother, was actually a 1st Sgt, and anyone who knows their understanding of rank in Civil War Company formations KNOWS that the 1st Sgt. was really the "boss" of the Company!)  The Anderson brothers would go on to fight "until the bitter end" with the 34th Arkansas, remaining within Arkansas for the remainder of the War with the 34th, fighting in such notable and vicious battles such as Prairie Grove, and Red River Campaign actions such as Jenkins Ferry.  Both survived the War, and would receive pensions, as their pension records via the NPS Soldier's & Sailor's System indicate (pictured below and included).  I have also provided some great Pike Guards and 34th Arkansas historical information as well.

The image attributed to Private John Anderson is a classic early Confederate recruit/1861 "off to kill 20 Yankee's" 6th plate tintype image: he bears his own double barrel shotgun, M1849 6" Colt Pocket revolver, and large side knife tucked into his belt.  His uniform appears to be a simple home-spun style coat with VERY LARGE coin-style, flat, or possibly even crude wooden buttons (those of you who know you authenticity and knowledge in uniforms and button usage of Confederate soldiers know what I am speaking of, and take a look, and you'll quickly see and agree!)  His pants are noticeably darker in tone, and again, certainly for a "backwoods" Arkansas soldier, his pants are all his own as well.  Arkansas was hardly ever able to receive any equipage whatsoever from their own tiny state arsenal or supply system, nor from the organized Confederate government, so every Razorback typically had to "make-do" with what he had.  The accounts of Trans-Mississippi troop equipage problems, beginning  from Wilson's Creek, through Marmaduke's raids in 1864 (when 1/3rd of his men were literally WITHOUT ARMS as he wrote and is accounted for in the Official Records War of the Rebellion), all the way unto the end of the War, the Trans-Mississippi boys scrounged for whatever they had.  John is clearly carrying a Colt 6" Pocket revolver, and NOT Navy--again, anyone with any true knowledge of size, reference, and framing of both the men of that age (their smaller stature), the size of Colt 6" pocket frames versus the much larger framed Navy's, and compared to uniform equipage (especially the button size), it is a Colt Pocket, and not a Navy.  "Knowledge is power" as they say!  The image even bespeaks more of it's Trans-Mississippi identification in that, though it's roughly 6th plate in size, it was originally displayed in a simple 2-ply paper cabinet-style encasing--the classic known Deep South and Trans-Mississippi cheap, quick, inexpensive style of other known photographers at that time in that region.  Yet another clue to it's location identification.  There were only minute traces of the glue and paper on the image, and I simply removed the paper/glue residue around that very outer edge (you can clearly see the "ghosting" of the rectangular shading display window around the edges.)

The Colt is all-matching serial numbers 65551, making it an extremely early production piece (1853), and having the rarest, longest barrel variation (6").  Being a pre-war specimen, once again it makes perfect sense coming from a Confederate Arkansas soldier.  Only the wedge has no numbers, and clearly is a replacement, though appears to be a period replacement.  The action is crisp and good, being fully functional.  The metal is in very smooth, in quite good condition, having a faded "frosty" look to the faded case coloring.  The serial number markings are all crisp and clear, though the cylinder is (as usual) very soft.  All of the original nipples are present and good, and the bore is good, too.  The original walnut grips are still quite pretty, and no cracks or big chips nor any repairs.  Only "honest wear" of the minimal sort to be found anywhere.  What's really cool about the Colt New York 2-line address on top for the barrel is that you vividly see where the floral motif at the left side is--but Anderson clearly took a file and filed-off the "New York" address part on top of the barrel!  NOT unusual to see on Confederate-used items, where they wanted NOTHING to do with their Northern enemy being so pronounced on their equipage.

The double-barrel shotgun is yet another archetypical pre-war imported English-made specimen, being complete and original in every way, and still fully-functional!  The weapon bears a maker's mark in the dark blued barrel breech area, and "FINE TWIST" upon the ribbing between the two barrels, reflecting the fact of it's fine twist finish you clearly see upon the barrels.  The original nipples are both intact, though obviously the bolster areas evidence the clear heavy combat utilization of the piece--again helping to lend credence to it's pedigree of wartime combat service.  Bolster wear such as this doesn't come from shooting squirrels or ducks while hunting.  No, it takes repeated, rapid, heavy firing in a short period of time (a few years) utilizing lots of poor gunpowder and percussion cap primer that literally eats at the wood and metal.  Can't fake that kind of combat wear.

As always, the final question becomes simple: how do we know these are THE WEAPONS from John Anderson (or possibly his brother, for that matter, since coming from the family ancestors, they could easily be of one or the others).  Let us face reality with a critical, analytical mind--much like "detective work" or CSI!  Anyone can make any claim of provenance and identification to anything.  I mean, seriously--museums are FULL of items that are "ID'd" to so-and-so, based upon the "family's donation" to the museum.  In reality, we will never 100% truly know.  No one is alive today that was alive back then to substantiate anything.  The true "experts" of Civil War artifacts, and their true owners, are long dead.  That is true for anything.  If you are a good Christian, you know all men are imperfect.  Nothing can be truly for certain (yeah, yeah, except death and taxes....I know, I know...).  But what is clear is that it would be very unusual for a financially-strapped family (living in a double-wide trailer) in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, having two incredibly-rare Confederate triple-armed images, both men bearing very simple homespun uniforms and brought-from-home weapons classic to that region, the photo's originally not being "hard-cased" but paper-cased (known to photographers of that region), AND just so happening to have an excellent pre-war 6" Colt Pocket Revolver and double-barrel Civil War shotgun.  Oh yeah, and just so happening to have excellent access to the National Archives, NPS, and other paid subscriptions to access soldier records, pick out two brothers names, matching their family history and "lore," and matching their family last name!  The weight of the evidence certainly points in favor toward legitimacy, and not fantasy.  Besides, you seasoned collectors know if someone is going to lie or create some fantastical story behind something, they will go ALL OUT!  ("....they fought in Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg....held Lee's horse at the McLean House for the surrender at Appomattox.....")  Most people with little monetary means are NOT going to spend a lot of money on a rare CS triple-armed image, go buying the right weapons to match the guy in the picture, pay membership subscriptions to archival websites to research names for their area.  In short, this grouping appears to be entirely accurate and "righteous" in every way to me, personally.

I'll price all three for the cost of what they are, in terms of their literal value...you get all the history and provenance for free!

LAYAWAY

 

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Excellent 9th Plate Fully-Cased Double-Armed Confederate Cavalryman Image

Beautiful Crisp Clarity, Having M1851 Colt Navy, Sword Belt & Cap Box, And POSSIBLY Haiman CS Cavalry Sword!

I'm not always known for being an "image guy"--but when you know I got one to offer, there's something awfully special about it.  And I truly love images.  There's something about these ghostly faces from that long-ago time, seeing young men bearing stolid faces, and grim determination clutching their weapons...ready to head off and "kill 20 Yankee's...".  This is one of those "killer" images I picked up recently in Georgia--and there may be a REALLY cool Georgia connection, all right!  (More on that in a moment.)  We are obviously looking at a young Confederate--rather boyish features are obvious, thanks to the great image clarity!  He's seated (and you can see the back of the chair) with his regulation-style sword belt & plate, his cap box, that beautiful and classic M1851 Colt Navy tucked in his belt where it could be seen brandished with pride in his photo (you can see his holster off to the side under his arm), you can see his sword knot, his suspenders, that classic "Johnny" cravat and fancy civilian-style slouch hat--you can see it ALL.  But best of all, he is holding his obvious M1840-style Heavy Cavalry Saber.  Now, this is where both the image clarity and knowledge of swords can be helpful.  Blowing the image up (or looking under magnification as I did in my hands while looking at it), that handle, pommel cap, three-branch guard, and even the number of wire twists look IDENTICAL to a Haiman cavalry sword, and other "Dog River" style CS swords!  The pommel caps of Haimen's have a distinctive rather abrupt and sharp-angled turn on the back edge of the grip where it extends onto the top of the grip--identical to what the sword this trooper is wearing.  Again--it would make for a GREAT Georgia connection with this image if so!  Now since the sword is in the scabbard, it would sure be nice if we could discern that the mounts were brass, which would 100% clinch the fact--or if the photographer had highlighted the mounts in gold, especially since the photographer highlighted his buttons AND the guard with gold gilt in the photo.  But the sword could obviously be an import or other style M1840 "Wristbreaker".  So, as Rafael Eledge would say, "If you are an optimist..." it's a CS sword!  But just as with his true name, history, and identification...we will probably never know. 

Though his fate is unknown, this ghostly image of him in full uniform--full of life and "fight"--remains.  THAT is what I love about good images.

SOLD

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Vivid & Clear 6th Plate Tintype Image In Excellent Gutta Percha Wall Frame

Armed Brothers/Friends (One Brandishing a Colt Pocket Revolver) -- Extremely Clear Image, Very Unique and Desirable Gutta Percha Frame

Wow!  What an image!  Excellent clarity.  Gorgeous and very rare & desirable large gutta percha wall frame.  And not only does the one brother/friend brandish his Colt M1849 Pocket Revolver so clearly in the picture, but the other fella looks like Christopher Reeve!  We've found Superman's origins in the Civil War!  (Ha, ha!)  Just look, though...it really does look like Christopher Reeve!  What's so stunning is both the clarity of this image, and the very scarce, ornate, and large wall-frame style of gutta percha case.  Great image, neat armed and possibly "Hollywood" worthy content (boy, I'm really having fun with this one!), and a superb gutta percha case.  I'm actually pricing at the value of the gutta percha case alone....

Sold

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Nice 9th-Plate Tintype Image, Fully-Cased, Of Young Confederate Soldier

Wearing "Regulation-Style" Uniform of 12-button Front, Branch-Colored Trip, Pant-Seam Piping

High & Stiff Kepi with Company "C" letter on Kepi Front

Believed to be a CS Artilleryman

I'm no "image" guy, but I certainly appreciate them more and more, and often become enthralled with certain ones.  This was "caught my eye".  Not only is it a great Confederate image of a young, clean-cut soldier going off to war in his "stiff" and beautiful "regulation-style" uniform, but his high-quality and more unique-styled kepi with the Company "C" on it really intrigued me.  I deduce several things regarding this image: first, it is a very early war photo, probably no later than 1862, given his age, clean-cut appearance, and most of all his uniform.  This is clearly one of the early-war "regulation" styles jackets of at least 12-button front, cuff branch of service coloration, shoulder piped straps, trousers of matching material with piping, and the kepi being a very high-quality "high" stiff front with excellent cut and tailoring all around.  Clearly, only early in the war would privates have the money, or the government and local tailors the ability to produce such high-quality fitted uniforms.  That quickly went out the door as the war waged from months to years, and time, money, supply, and ability to make such fine attire was replaced with quick, cheap, and more "one size fits all" manufacture.  Only through 1862 did the "commutation" system with the CS government operate to reimburse soldiers the cost they would pay to have their uniforms privately made, rather than count on the CS Government to do so.  Secondly, I and others believe this is an artilleryman.  For one reason, that high-front kepi is almost always seen with artillerymen--rarely with infantry. Secondly, the Company "C" designation and pride in company designation was rampant with Batteries, as each Company or Battery of an entire artillery regiment was very personal for their men.  Sure, in 1861, a lot of infantry units wore their company designation, but it was quickly changed to regimental number affiliation.  Battery/Company importance in artillery remained until the end of the war.  I also feel the coloration of the trim may indeed be red from the tone and hue in the image.  It has great clarity, as you can see in the photo's below, though that pesky "splotchiness" is present, but does not detract from the overall appearance and display.

Whoever he was, what branch or company he fought it, when the photo was taken, or whether he even survived the war will forever be unknown.  But we do know he was a young, fresh-face "son of the South" who answered the call to her defense.  This ghostly image of him is all that remains.  The rest is known "only unto God"....

Sold

 

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Outstanding Pair of 4th Plate-Sized Images on Card Stock of Confederate Soldier

One Image is War-Time Image in Full-Standing Pose of the CS Soldier in Regulation Uniform

Second Image is the Same Soldier in Same Uniform Late In Life w/Granddaughters

From the National Award-Winning "Southrons" Display Collection of Dennis Headlee

This is a phenomenal opportunity: these are two images of a Confederate soldier--one a wartime image of him in his regulation uniform, the other an image of him in the same uniform very old with obviously what can only be his granddaughters.  They are both 4th Plate-sized images on cardstock (measuring 2.6" wide by 3.8" tall), and are in excellent condition, with great clarity.  His uniform is a classic 7-button front shell jacket, "regulation" style with the colored cuffs and collars (appears to be either infantry blue or artillery red), and pants with the regulation stripe down the seam.  It is a full-standing pose of the soldier, showing his entire uniform down to his brogans (military shoes).  The backdrop is a wonderful outdoors scene.  The late-in-life image of the soldier is phenomenal, seeing the wear of the years on this "old soldier", as he is sitting with his lovely granddaughters flanking him on either side.  What's the real outstanding bonus is that this came from none-other than Dennis Headlee, the co-owner of the infamous "Southrons" Confederate display exhibit that has been set-up at almost every major Civil War Show in the past 10 years.  It has won "Best-of-Show" so many times, they literally have lost track!  It is the 28-foot long display of exclusively Confederate artifacts, images, relics, etc, displayed on a faux rock and scenery background (usually covered in fish-netting to keep hands off.)

Here's an opportunity to posses an outstanding pair of original Images of a Confederate soldier, coming from a nationally-renown owner and exhibitor...

$550

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