Ambrotype of Identified Union Soldier with Lock of Hair, Flower Vase Union Case For Sale

Thislisting is for a sixteenth plate ambrotype of a head and shoulders portrait ofa Union soldier wearing his kepi and uniform. Nested in the opposite side ofthe case is a lock of his hair. I bought this in 2000 as part of a Christie’ssale. A newspaper obituary accompanied the item identifying the man as “JohnWoods of Waterbury, a member of Co. E, 6th Reg’s, C.V.” indicating he “wasamong the killed in the recent battle of Richmond.” The clipping goes on to saythat Sgt. James A. Blake was reported missing and is supposed to have beentaken prisoner. Unfortunately, I have misplaced the newspaper clipping. All Ihave is a very poor quality photo of it, a copy of which will be included withthe image. If the original ultimately surfaces I will forward it to the buyer.

Theambrotype is fairly dark and the emulsion is showing some cracking. Mr. Woodsis housed in a sixteenth plate Flower Vase union case, Berg. 2-119. The case isin overall excellent condition with both motifs strong. There are no cornerchips and the case snaps shut tightly.

I am inthe process of listing and selling my collection of Daguerrean era photographicimages and cases (mostly thermoplastic Union Cases often mistakenly referred toas “Gutta Percha”), acquired over the past 40+ years. Used to protectdaguerreotypes, ambrotypes and tintypes, the cases are an art form in their ownright. I still have more than 300 cases and images yet to be listed, so pleasecheck back often for new items.

A Noteabout Condition. I leave cases and images in their “as-found” condition. I donot attempt to repair cases. If original seals are present on an image I willnot disturb them. If an image is unsealed, I will clean the cover glass ifnecessary but I do not attempt to clean the images themselves.

USPSPriority Mail Shipping & Handling: $15.00

U.S.BUYERS ONLY.

ControlNo. DEIC-210