A lost Gardner Stereoview from Gettysburg ?

[Scott F]

Note please do not lift this photo! I have a licensing agreement with the owner for my book. Much thanks. I first came across this photo in a book by D Mark Katz, titled "Witness to an Era". The reverse is the number and Title, "#268 View near the Emmitsburg Road, on the Battle-Field of Gettysburg". The caption said Alex Gardner with Gibson or O'Sullivan at Gettysburg. Gardner has the prop rifle used in his photos ( I'm paraphrasing here, don't have time to look it up ). Sadly, the author passed away in 2008. I was able to track down the owner in a private collection. He is a great guy, please see note! I got more information about it, and after a short search was able to match the now location ( pretty well, thought). I contacted Garry Adelman and was told that the card and Katz were wrong. The photo was not taken at Gettysburg and the road I lined up was not there in 63. He was right about the road, it did not show up on any early maps. It has been really hard to ignore the photographic evidence. Any thoughts?

 

[Patrick H]

Well, I can see why you thought you probably had a match. I have no explanation for you other than coincidence. I think the trees in your contemporary photo would be much larger if, in fact, they and the road were there in 1863.

 

[Scott F]

Oh no not the trees, it is doubtful that they are witness trees. I was wondering if there were any battle accounts placing a road next to the meadow in Gardner's other photos on the Rose Farm. I noticed on the maps that there was no road to the farm south of the Rose Farm. How would people get to it? As you noticed from the stereo there is not that many other rock infested battlefields that the photo could have been taken at. ????

 

[tryagain]

where was this taken?

 

[Scott F]

 

[pamc153PA]

I think the background of the stereo version shows a hill of some sort, as the trees beyond the bend in the road seem thicker and taller than a meadow would have. And the road, whether paved or not, does not have the same grade as Brooke Avenue does at the spot you marked on the Google map. I have walked that area of the battlefield often, and it doesn't feel like a match, to me.

Also, there was a shad pond on the Rose Farm that is in the direction the camera is facing, owned by man named Wible, who sold the fish in town. I think it would be more open, definitely, in the field beyond the bend of the stereo view, maybe with the shad pond in view.

Just guessing.

 

[pamc153PA]

Here is an 1858 map of the Rose Farm boundaries (in yellow). The woods and fields at the time were much as they are today, with a couple exceptions. The farm is located in the middle of the map, and there is a lane to it from the west (left) as there is today. Along the lane, I don't see how your stereo view would match. Also, those thick woods and the elevation behind them just make me think this is not a match. It is a neat photo, though!

 

[Scott F]

I see your point, I have seen that map many times. I have yet to meet anyone that thinks that it is a Gettysburg stereo, not even the person that owns it. He seems to think it's from 1862 and thats Brady with Gardner in the photo. My guess is that it's O'Sullivan. He even has the same hat in the photo of him in Devil's Den, with the sack over his shoulder. Pretty sure that is Gardner in the photo too. Same build, height and hat he was known to have worn. Looks like he has a sack coat draped over his shoulders. you can even see the curve in the stock if that was a rifle.View attachment 79076

 

[Scott F]

 

[2ndDEboy]

View attachment 79029 View attachment 79031 Note please do not lift this photo! I have a licensing agreement with the owner for my book. Much thanks. I first came across this photo in a book by D Mark Katz, titled "Witness to an Era". The reverse is the number and Title, "#268 View near the Emmitsburg Road, on the Battle-Field of Gettysburg". The caption said Alex Gardner with Gibson or O'Sullivan at Gettysburg. Gardner has the prop rifle used in his photos ( I'm paraphrasing here, don't have time to look it up ). Sadly, the author passed away in 2008. I was able to track down the owner in a private collection. He is a great guy, please see note! I got more information about it, and after a short search was able to match the now location ( pretty well, thought). I contacted Garry Adelman and was told that the card and Katz were wrong. The photo was not taken at Gettysburg and the road I lined up was not there in 63. He was right about the road, it did not show up on any early maps. It has been really hard to ignore the photographic evidence. Any thoughts?View attachment 79029

I do not think the photo matches. You can clearly see on the original how the road is in a depression and both sides grade down to the road, the modern pictured the road is raised and the right down grades down away from the road

 

[R. Porter]

I do not think the photo matches. You can clearly see on the original how the road is in a depression and both sides grade down to the road, the modern pictured the road is raised and the right down grades down away from the road

That was the first thing I noticed. I can't really tell how similar the rocks are, but plowing and other activities can make some noticeable changes in land forms.