Unidentified photographer / artist
n.d.
Civil War Scene, 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry

Glass positive
5 x 7 3/8 in
 
Larry Gottheim, Be-hold, Inc
Courtesy of Larry Gottheim (Auction: Feb 21, 2008, 51, part 1 / lot 68)
 
5" x 7 3/8" positive on a thick glass plate, in what appears to be the original frame. A negative number (#9800) appears in the right margin, in a place that would be found on the negative, and not normally found on prints, so I believe this is a period positive copy made from the original glass negative. The glass is much thicker than would be found on a negative or on an ambrotype plate. The emulsion is on the back, and is covered with white. There are some areas of loss.
 
The image itself is familiar to me because of the haunting presence of the black boy to the left of the tree, but I can't place it. Thanks to Mike McAfee and Roger Hunt the officer seated on the right is identified as Lieutenant Colonel John K. Robinson of the great 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and that is their flag. They had great service, of course including Gettysburg, so hopefully the scene can be further identified.
 
LL/27078