2 soldier tintypes from same session

[Forrest]

I know many of you are able to look at details of a 19th century uniform to determine if it is post-Civil War. I'm not able to do that yet, so looking for some help.

I picked these two 1/4-plate tintypes up as part of a large lot. One was in a half case, protected by mat and glass. The other was in a half case, lacking mat and glass. It's obvious which is which! Any ideas as to time period? Thanks!

 

[major bill]

Same back drop but are you sure it is the same session. There are people who would know who the photograph was and the time period based on thee back drop.

 

[Forrest]

I'm not absolutely positive. The younger soldier is in both photos and seems to be the same age in each, but the buckle on his waist is definitely not the same for each session. Even if it wasn't the same session, it was the same time period, but thinking more about it, I'm inclined to think he came back soon after to get another picture made with a different comrade.

I didn't realize that backdrops could be used for identification - I guess that should have been intuitive.

 

[chubachus]

The palm trees in the backdrop I believe are quite unusual. Could have been taken in some occupied southern city.

I found this other tintype of a Union soldier with palm trees in the backdrop at LoC:

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Sorry to contribute with nothing of value to contribute, great photos!

We know artists painted those backdrops for photographers. Were quite a few the same or similar? Think I read traveling photographers took backdrops with them, visiting camps? ( Trying very hard not to come across like I'm an expert. )

 

[Forrest]

Thanks! I thought I would also mention - while the glass protects the tintype, over the years some nasty stuff can happen underneath. I've had some that showed a little cracking (which the glass actually hid), but some, like the one above on the left, can gather a lot of dust - in this example it was covered with dust that was embedded in a thin sticky crust. It wasn't sticky until I began cleaning it. Unless you know what you are doing, don't try cleaning old photos without doing some research and experimenting on inexpensive examples - some can be cleaned with water, some alcohol. If it can't be cleaned with water, I don't touch it.

Here is the before and after:

 

[major bill]

Sorry to contribute with nothing of value to contribute, great photos!

We know artists painted those backdrops for photographers. Were quite a few the same or similar? Think I read traveling photographers took backdrops with them, visiting camps? ( Trying very hard not to come across like I'm an expert. )

Some had simular themes, ofen tents or cannons or an ironclad on a river, but most were different enough to ID the photographer or city.

 

[major bill]

Once a photographer and possible time frame can be established, researchers can find regiments that the photo might show by comparison with photos taken near the same time showing uniforms soldiers.

Military Images magazine has had a couple articles about IDing using painted back dtops.

 

[Forrest]

Here's one I found on ebay that also shows a palm tree in the backdrop, but in addition, shows a mortar firing!

The photographer should have told this guy a joke or something.

 

[RebYell64]

Here's one I found on ebay that also shows a palm tree in the backdrop, but in addition, shows a mortar firing!

The photographer should have told this guy a joke or something.

View attachment 95182

The man looks like he's stared into a campfire for too long.

 

[Brendan]

I know many of you are able to look at details of a 19th century uniform to determine if it is post-Civil War. I'm not able to do that yet, so looking for some help.

I picked these two 1/4-plate tintypes up as part of a large lot. One was in a half case, protected by mat and glass. The other was in a half case, lacking mat and glass. It's obvious which is which! Any ideas as to time period? Thanks!

View attachment 93833

There's a third image which I believe contains two of the same subjects as your image #1 (the same kid at the very least):

Unfortunately, this one is also unidentified.
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2016646283/

 

[Forrest]

There's a third image which I believe contains two of the same subjects as your image #1 (the same kid at the very least):

Unfortunately, this one is also unidentified.
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2016646283/

Wow - that kid really got around. Thanks for posting this.

 

[TerryB]

The rifle in the right lower corner of both makes me think same session. The backdrop might have been designed to recall the Mexican War. I also think the boy in the left pic is the same as the one on the left in the right pic. Wow, I'm even confusing myself.

 

[Forrest]

I wonder if he was some sort of mascot, as he was photographed with so many different soldiers.

 

[TerryB]

I wonder if he was some sort of mascot, as he was photographed with so many different soldiers.

I believe the one with the beard is the same as the other man in the first photo. If, so, he and the boy might be brothers.

 

[TerryB]

Here's one I found on ebay that also shows a palm tree in the backdrop, but in addition, shows a mortar firing!

The photographer should have told this guy a joke or something.

View attachment 95182

Firing Squad!? What firing squad???

 

[TerryB]

There's a third image which I believe contains two of the same subjects as your image #1 (the same kid at the very least):

Unfortunately, this one is also unidentified.
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2016646283/

Wow! Just now saw this. It's the same boy, all right. Not sure about the other one. [edit] Yeah, the bearded one is a duplicate, too.