1/6 Plate Ambrotype, double-armed Civil War Soldier
1/6 plate (2 5/8 x 3 ΒΌ) ambrotype photo depicting a double-armed Civil War soldier in full case. The case is in excellent condition with hinge just starting to separate and hook lock present & functional. Mat depicts two American flags (top right and left), a sailing vessel (bottom left) and crossed flags, cannon and drum (bottom right). The words Constitution and Union are engraved at the left and right sides of the oval opening, with the date July 4, 1776 engraved at the base of the oval. Although Id like to think this drab-clad individual was a Confederate, the unquestionable Union sentiments of the mat design lead me to believe the subject must be a Union soldier. In the image, the young soldier grips the hilt of a sword with his right hand, while his left hand holds the handle of a revolver cradled in his lap. His hat appears to display crossed sabres cavalry insignia? Clues to his identity are found in the case behind the image. Inscribed in pencil on the inside case back (photo # 3): Presented to Elize J. Fry, Aug 20 1862, Falmouth Va, near Fredricksburg va Virginia. On a separate piece of paper behind the image (photo #4) an inscription in old ink reads: Presented to George P. Fry, by his Brother, Jas Pawlsson.
A very interesting image, certainly worthy of additional research. The item "1/6 Plate Ambrotype, double-armed Civil War Soldier" is in sale since Monday, July 04, 2016. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Photographic Images\Vintage & Antique (Pre-1940)\Ambrotypes". The seller is "jamrist" and is located in Dumfries, Virginia. This item can be shipped to United States, to Canada, to United Kingdom, DK, RO, SK, BG, CZ, FI, HU, LV, LT, MT, EE, to Australia, GR, PT, CY, SI, to Japan, to China, SE, KR, ID, to Taiwan, ZA, TH, to Belgium, to France, to Hong Kong, to Ireland, to Netherlands, PL, to Spain, to Italy, to Germany, to Austria, RU, IL, to Mexico, to New Zealand, SG, to Switzerland, NO, SA, AE, QA, KW, BH, HR, MY, BR, CL, CO, CR, DO, PA, TT, GT, SV, HN, JM.