Robert E. Lee and Traveler ( post war? )

frontrank2

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Oct 10, 2012
Location
Mt. Jackson, Va
https://www.loc.gov/item/2019635455/

I'm not sure if this has been posted before, my apologies if it was.

travelerweb.jpg
 
I found the description of that photo rather interesting in the link you sent:

-Albumen photograph, 5.25 x 6.375 in., on 6 x 6.75 in. mount, lacking a studio imprint but known to have been taken by Michael Miley of Lexington, VA, in 1866.

Following the Civil War, there was such a high demand for a photograph of Lee sitting astride his much loved war horse, Traveller, that Alexander Gardner worked with Michael Miley of Lexington, VA to accomplish the task. Miley made his first attempt to take the picture in Lexington in the summer of 1866, but it was so hot that he had to try again in September. The resulting photograph became one of the most popular portraits of Lee, especially in the South (Meredith, 1981: 68-71).
Provenance:The John O'Brien Collection
Condition:
Even toning to image, with very light spotting visible in sky area. Mount appears to have been trimmed. Some light corner/edge wear to mount.-
 
Looks like the same photo, only reversed....
The top photo is an albumen print, basically the same process used in making a CDV; the cased image is an ambrotype or tintype, a process resulting in a reversed image. CDV prints are made from glass negatives (the same process as ambrotypes) and in the printing were reversed so as to appear normal. Notice the position of Lee's arms and hands and how he's holding the reins in a different hand in each photo; of course he really isn't - the print at top was likely made from the ambrotype and is therefore probably the exact same photo.
 
I found the description of that photo rather interesting in the link you sent:

-Albumen photograph, 5.25 x 6.375 in., on 6 x 6.75 in. mount, lacking a studio imprint but known to have been taken by Michael Miley of Lexington, VA, in 1866.

Following the Civil War, there was such a high demand for a photograph of Lee sitting astride his much loved war horse, Traveller, that Alexander Gardner worked with Michael Miley of Lexington, VA to accomplish the task. Miley made his first attempt to take the picture in Lexington in the summer of 1866, but it was so hot that he had to try again in September. The resulting photograph became one of the most popular portraits of Lee, especially in the South (Meredith, 1981: 68-71).
Provenance:The John O'Brien Collection
Condition:
Even toning to image, with very light spotting visible in sky area. Mount appears to have been trimmed. Some light corner/edge wear to mount.-
It's my understanding that the photo was actually taken in Rockbridge Baths, which is about 10 miles or so from Lexington on route 39. I travel route 39 to go to Lexington from time to time, it's a very beautiful scenic way to get there. There's several swimming holes (Maury River), & a pretty nice picnic area just outside Rockbridge Baths. It's a popular area. If you rode it on two wheels, I guarantee you'd remember it. :cool:
 
It's my understanding that the photo was actually taken in Rockbridge Baths, which is about 10 miles or so from Lexington on route 39. I travel route 39 to go to Lexington from time to time, it's a very beautiful scenic way to get there. There's several swimming holes (Maury River), & a pretty nice picnic area just outside Rockbridge Baths. It's a popular area. If you rode it on two wheels, I guarantee you'd remember it. :cool:
Interesting. I did a little research on Route 39, which they call the "Scenic Byway". Looks to be a beautiful ride. I've only visited VA once, I stayed in Newport News for two nights, and went to Richmond for a few hours to see the Confederate White House. I actually rode from Newport News to Richmond on two wheels. My friend, who I was visiting, had 2 motorcycles at the time.
 
Interesting. I did a little research on Route 39, which they call the "Scenic Byway". Looks to be a beautiful ride. I've only visited VA once, I stayed in Newport News for two nights, and went to Richmond for a few hours to see the Confederate White House. I actually rode from Newport News to Richmond on two wheels. My friend, who I was visiting, had 2 motorcycles at the time.
It is a scenic byway but, it's known as, "Goshen Pass" on the stretch from Lexington to Goshen. This stretch is roughly 21 miles. Rockbridge Baths is in the middle of that stretch.

Also, if your only trip to Virginia involved a stay in Newport News, & short trip to Richmond, trust me.... you haven't seen Virginia. I would hate to think those were your only reference points. There's way more to Virginia.
 
Also, if your only trip to Virginia involved a stay in Newport News, & short trip to Richmond, trust me.... you haven't seen Virginia. I would hate to think those were your only reference points. There's way more to Virginia.
It's the reason I would like to go back to VA. The actual reason for the trip was to visit the OBX. I only had a few hours to walk around Richmond, and thought the Confederate White House was a good start. Although my ambition to return to VA has declined a bit, due to the removal of monuments on the Avenue and now the removal of Lee 😕
 
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