Some help with a photo, please?

[Bruce Vail]

I just obtained this image of an old photo of a family relative and was hoping for some help in interpreting it. The subject is George Washington Ward (1832-1884), a veteran of the peacetime NC Militia and of the Civil War 3rd NC Infantry Regiment. The photo is undated. Any thoughts on the uniform and/or the likely year published?

 

[lelliott19]

Congratulations! It's a fantastic image and a real family treasure! What is the size of the image? I'm not an expert by any means, but if it's as big as it looks, its an enlargement. Probably made from a tintype or CDV original. Generally, these large-format enlargements of CW soldiers were created about 1880 - 1920. I'm sure more knowledgeable members will be along with more information. Congratulations on obtaining a family treasure!

EDIT TO ADD: IS there a studio mark on the back?

 

[Bruce Vail]

Congratulations! It's a fantastic image and a real family treasure! What is the size of the image? I'm not an expert by any means, but if it's as big as it looks, its an enlargement. Probably made from a tintype or CDV original. Generally, these large-format enlargements of CW soldiers were created about 1880 - 1920. I'm sure more knowledgeable members will be along with more information. Congratulations on obtaining a family treasure!

EDIT TO ADD: IS there a studio mark on the back?

You are so smart!

The image is from a copy/enlargement of the original. The enlargement is about 8 x 12 inches and comes from the personal archive of Herman Ward Taylor Sr. (1900-1988), a grandson of George Washington Ward who spent years documenting his family history in eastern North Carolina. There are no identifying marks on my copy of the image, neither front nor back.

I'm guessing the original image is from the 1870s, but that's only a rough guess.

And yes! it is a fabulous family treasure! I am convinced that I will be able to learn more if I keep working at it. Thanks for helping.

 

[lelliott19]

I'm guessing the original image is from the 1870s, but that's only a rough guess.

I think the image the enlargement was made from was a wartime tin or CDV. But I could be wrong. @Package4 what say you about the uniform George W. Ward is wearing here in this enlargement? 3rd North Carolina? Or pre-war militia type?

 

[Bruce Vail]

The uniform does not conform to anything I have ever seen for the wartime 3rd NC Infantry Regiment. Therefore, I am guessing it's a militia uniform, either pre-war or post-war.

 

[lupaglupa]

It definitely has the look of an illustration made from a photograph - the image is too soft and smooth to be a photo.

Meanwhile - can we see the quilt the image was laying on? That's catching my eye as much as the great image!

 

[John Hartwell]

Yes, it's clearly not a photograph, but a drawing probably based on one. Very well done, except for the fake-looking gray hairs in his beard. I doubt that the uniform is an accurate rendition of any real one.

 

[Discipulus]

It definitely has the look of an illustration made from a photograph - the image is too soft and smooth to be a photo.

It was customary for enlargements of the time to be artistic renderings.

This is the best one I have ever seen.

 

[Mike Serpa]

This book is about him and his relatives. Alfred and Elizabeth are his parents.

History of Alfred and Elizabeth Robinson Ward : Taylor, H. W. (Herman Ward) 1900-1988. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

archive.org

 

[connecticut yankee]

Your portrait of your ancester Ward is called a "crayon portrait" or more specifically a"charcoal portrait". These portraits were enlargements of original cdvs, tintypes, dags, ambros, cabinet cards, or albumens which were then colored in using charcoal or colored crayons (pastels) by skilled artists employed by the photography houses which had enlarged the original photo. Enlargement of photos began as a commercial product to the public in the 1880s. Soldier Ward appears to be in typical Civil War garb. My guess is the original photo was a war cdv, enlarged in the late 1800's and colored in charcoal. Typically in a charcoal portrait, the coloring artist provided an extremely detailed and very striking face or portrait while the rest of the photograph was deliberately softened and often heavily stylized as these non-face areas were considered non-essential to the overall effect the enlargement always tried to achieve. In other words, it was always about "the face".

 

[Bruce Vail]

This book is about him and his relatives. Alfred and Elizabeth are his parents.

History of Alfred and Elizabeth Robinson Ward : Taylor, H. W. (Herman Ward) 1900-1988. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

archive.org

Thanks. I didn't know that the book had been digitized and made free on the internet until I saw your post today.

All good, but beware to any new readers/researchers - the volume is very much a work of amateur genealogists -- all the "facts" need to be checked against other available sources.

I've had a very nice copy on my home bookshelf for some 35 years. Herman Taylor Sr. had some copies made for his grandchildren with a nice sturdy red leather binding. There are even a few handwritten notations from him. Thanks, Pop!

 

[Old Soldier]

It is taken from a tintype (jacket fastened wrong way round - mirror image). These were often 'enhanced' by tinting and painting over any parts that did not turn out so well. However, there is not a wrinkle on face or clothing in sight! This one looks much as connecticut yankee has said. The buttons are plain, nothing to indicate regiment, arm or company on the cap. The rank shoulder strap suggests 2nd Lt, but do not stand proud of the jacket which an original tintype would show. Still a good portrait though.

 

[Bruce Vail]

It definitely has the look of an illustration made from a photograph - the image is too soft and smooth to be a photo.

Meanwhile - can we see the quilt the image was laying on? That's catching my eye as much as the great image!

Hah. I'll ask my sister-in-law Nadine about the quilt. She has a lot of cool stuff like it around the house.

 

[Package4]

I think the image the enlargement was made from was a wartime tin or CDV. But I could be wrong. @Package4 what say you about the uniform George W. Ward is wearing here in this enlargement? 3rd North Carolina? Or pre-war militia type?

Unfortunately the uniform is not going to tell us much, due to the liberty taken by the artist. The face was the most important aspect of these charcoal enlargements and garnered the most detail. I suspect that this is a prewar militia 2nd or 3rd Lt, as NC used the standard US Army standard for state militia officers IIRC. The forage cap would indicate that the original picture was taken just prior to the war or early wartime.

What a great picture and family treasure!

 

[Package4]

Unfortunately the uniform is not going to tell us much, due to the liberty taken by the artist. The face was the most important aspect of these charcoal enlargements and garnered the most detail. I suspect that this is a prewar militia 2nd or 3rd Lt, as NC used the standard US Army standard for state militia officers IIRC. The forage cap would indicate that the original picture was taken just prior to the war or early wartime.

What a great picture and family treasure!

I promised not to post a picture online, but there was an identical forage cap identified to a NC soldier at the Doswell Militaria Show this weekend. Michael Kramer and Michael Black teamed together to display their NC arms, accouterments, blankets, knapsacks and uniforms. Quite a phenomenal display. The forage cap was of Southern manufacture and a dark navy blue.

I have an identified officer's kepi from a NC soldier killed at Gettysburg and it is navy blue with gold metallic braid indicating his rank. The cap appears to be prewar militia. I posted pictures on this forum, his name was Adams.

 

[Bruce Vail]

Yes, it's clearly not a photograph, but a drawing probably based on one. Very well done, except for the fake-looking gray hairs in his beard. I doubt that the uniform is an accurate rendition of any real one.

If it's a drawing based on a photograph that suggests that the original photo may still exist somewhere. That's an exciting possibility.

 

[Discipulus]

If it's a drawing based on a photograph that suggests that the original photo may still exist somewhere. That's an exciting possibility.

Exactly.

 

[lelliott19]

Your portrait of your ancester Ward is called a "crayon portrait" or more specifically a"charcoal portrait". These portraits were enlargements of original cdvs, tintypes, dags, ambros, cabinet cards, or albumens which were then colored in using charcoal or colored crayons (pastels) by skilled artists employed by the photography houses which had enlarged the original photo. Enlargement of photos began as a commercial product to the public in the 1880s. Soldier Ward appears to be in typical Civil War garb. My guess is the original photo was a war cdv, enlarged in the late 1800's and colored in charcoal. Typically in a charcoal portrait, the coloring artist provided an extremely detailed and very striking face or portrait while the rest of the photograph was deliberately softened and often heavily stylized as these non-face areas were considered non-essential to the overall effect the enlargement always tried to achieve. In other words, it was always about "the face".

What a fabulous explanation! Thats exactly what i was trying to say, but not nearly as clearly or as eloquently as you. Thank you so much for weighing in.

I suspect that this is a prewar militia 2nd or 3rd Lt, as NC used the standard US Army standard for state militia officers IIRC. The forage cap would indicate that the original picture was taken just prior to the war or early wartime.

I promised not to post a picture online, but there was an identical forage cap identified to a NC soldier at the Doswell Militaria Show this weekend. Michael Kramer and Michael Black teamed together to display their NC arms, accouterments, blankets, knapsacks and uniforms. Quite a phenomenal display. The forage cap was of Southern manufacture and a dark navy blue.

I have an identified officer's kepi from a NC soldier killed at Gettysburg and it is navy blue with gold metallic braid indicating his rank. The cap appears to be prewar militia. I posted pictures on this forum, his name was Adams.

Thanks so much for providing your expertise! I'm trying to learn but man ive got a long way to go! Sometimes I think Im just lucky. Or make a lucky guess. But then i think.... maybe its osmosis? Or maybe a collective realization based on the times youve helped me in the past? Whatever it is... i know there's SO much i dont know. So I appreciate you being so generous with your experience and expertise.

In case anyone didnt already recognize this, @Package4 has probably forgotten more about uniforms than most of us will ever know! Even if we studied non-stop from now til doomsday. Thanks again @Package4

 

[Package4]

What a fabulous explanation! Thats exactly what i was trying to say, but not nearly as clearly or as eloquently as you. Thank you so much for weighing in.



Thanks so much for providing your expertise! I'm trying to learn but man ive got a long way to go! Sometimes I think Im just lucky. Or make a lucky guess. But then i think.... maybe its osmosis? Or maybe a collective realization based on the times youve helped me in the past? Whatever it is... i know there's SO much i dont know. So I appreciate you being so generous with your experience and expertise.

In case anyone didnt already recognize this, @Package4 has probably forgotten more about uniforms than most of us will ever know! Even if we studied non-stop from now til doomsday. Thanks again @Package4

I am humbled, actually, reference books, having some of the actual pieces and knowing a group of individuals who know so much more than myself and soaking in as much of their knowledge as possible has been the key.

 

[Bruce Vail]

It is taken from a tintype (jacket fastened wrong way round - mirror image). These were often 'enhanced' by tinting and painting over any parts that did not turn out so well. However, there is not a wrinkle on face or clothing in sight! This one looks much as connecticut yankee has said. The buttons are plain, nothing to indicate regiment, arm or company on the cap. The rank shoulder strap suggests 2nd Lt, but do not stand proud of the jacket which an original tintype would show. Still a good portrait though.

Are you saying the image should be reversed?

The notation that the rank shoulder strap suggests 2nd Lt. might be helpful in dating the image. Ward served as a 1st Lt. in the Militia (that is, throughout the late 1850s and until mid-1861) but was initially made a 2nd Lt. in the wartime 3rd NC Infantry. He was promoted to 1st Lt. in Sept. 1862, so would have worn a 1st Lt. strap thereafter.