This image has been a mystery for me for 20 years. It appears to be a Civil War era officer, but photographed by a French photographer!
Is this Civil War? And what is the insignia on the Kepi?
The image is in mat signed by a well-known French photographer - Arjalew from Dinard, France (North Coast across from Plymouth, England). Arjalew was active around the turn of the century in Dinard and Paris, and perhaps later. So this is most likely from the period 1890-1910.
The image is heavily retouched –almost painted. And based on the size (11" by 14" including the frame) it might be a CW image that was enlarged and enhanced later.
The uniform and Kepi look right for the Civil War and the young man has a Civil War style beard. The buttons appear to have rims and are not just domed – this might argue for post war.
The Kepi has a two row braiding which I have ben told might be for a captain. Of course the shoulder boards are for a Second Lieutenant. I haven’t a clue what the insignia on the cap is,
The frame is labeled with a Detroit, Michigan company that was in business from the Civil War through the turn of the century.
I have posted this to the Great War Forum and all suggest that its US Civil War, not French. One post suggested that it might be of a Frenchman serving as an officer in the US army. McClellan toured with the French Army before the CW and there were some French officers with him on the Peninsula campaign.
Is this Civil War? And what is the insignia on the Kepi?
The image is in mat signed by a well-known French photographer - Arjalew from Dinard, France (North Coast across from Plymouth, England). Arjalew was active around the turn of the century in Dinard and Paris, and perhaps later. So this is most likely from the period 1890-1910.
The image is heavily retouched –almost painted. And based on the size (11" by 14" including the frame) it might be a CW image that was enlarged and enhanced later.
The uniform and Kepi look right for the Civil War and the young man has a Civil War style beard. The buttons appear to have rims and are not just domed – this might argue for post war.
The Kepi has a two row braiding which I have ben told might be for a captain. Of course the shoulder boards are for a Second Lieutenant. I haven’t a clue what the insignia on the cap is,
The frame is labeled with a Detroit, Michigan company that was in business from the Civil War through the turn of the century.
I have posted this to the Great War Forum and all suggest that its US Civil War, not French. One post suggested that it might be of a Frenchman serving as an officer in the US army. McClellan toured with the French Army before the CW and there were some French officers with him on the Peninsula campaign.