Timothy O'Sullivan Albumen Photograph, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 

Albumen photograph with the following printed on mount below image: Negative by T.H. O'Sullivan/ Positive by A. Gardner / No. 35 / Gettysburg, Pennsylvania/ July, 1863, 7 x 9 in., on original mount and accompanied by original descriptive panel. Presented in an archival mount and mat.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania was plate No. 35 of the 100 plates published in Gardner's Photographic Sketch Book of the War. This albumen photograph was taken by Timothy O'Sullivan on July 7th, 1863 depicts an elevated view of the Baltimore Pike running west into the town of Gettysburg. This view is different from the other battlefield photographs of Gettysburg scenes in that it is a long-distance, nearly panoramic photograph of the chosen subject-the town itself. Of particular note, is O'Sullivan's photographic wagon holding his darkroom tent, which is seen on the right side of the road near the junction of stone walls. The town of Gettysburg has much the same skyline today, being dominated by the spires of Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church and the Adams County Courthouse, with many other landmark buildings still extant. Prominent to the right corner is an encampment of a Northern militia unit, which had arrived the day before this photograph was taken to guard the town from potential further attack and civil unrest.

Image retains strong tones; very light, even toning to print and mount.