Confederate Solider Photograph US Civil War 1861
This photograph is in what remains for a leather bound case that where given to wives and parents of thier soldier while they were gone. The photograph is surronded by a gold matting in good order. The front cover is missing and the wooden frame is partially exposed where the leather covering has come away. The frame is still very solid. The image is good with the damage to the face normal for the age.
The photo is glass covered, in excellent condition with no scratching. This is a small item 52mm x 45mm and the oval image itself only 31mm x 25mm. The photograph is a CDV which was cheap to make and easy to duplicate. This made cartes de visite extremely popular with Civil War soldiers and their families.There is no real colouring added to this photograph. The blue is a reaction of chemical added in the negative process. The photographer is believed to be Samuel Hendrickson.
It was taken in 1861. Unfortunately the name of the young solider could not be found. Samuel Hendrickson, photographer, emigrated from Ireland in 1820 with his family. He loved photography and made a living doing portraits and family photos up to his death in 1879.
He died in Missouri from pneumonia. The avenues used to research his item include the Smithsonian, Library of Congress, Hall of Record archives in New York and obituary records.