Scarce carte de visite (CDV) photograph of Confederate General Edward Kirby Smith. Smith, raised in Florida by transplants from Connecticut, developed an early interest in tropical botany but was instead sent to a military academy in Virginia. Eventually securing an appointment to West Point, Smith would distinguish himself during the Mexican War before becoming a senior officer in the Confederate Army. Smith was wounded in action during the Battle of Bull Run, spent time leading War efforts in Florida while he recovered, and became commander of the Trans-Mississippi department in 1863.

A period ink inscription below the photograph reads: “Gen’l Kirby Smith.” The reverse bears the label of Tucker & Perkins, a duo who operated the “Photographic Gallery of Art” in Augusta, Georgia. Interestingly, the cost for this single CDV was 25 cents, a high price that may reflect inflation within the Confederacy. The CDV is in good condition, with some wear at the corners, and has been tipped into a modern mat for display purposes.

This is a scarce full-length view of Smith with a desirable southern photographer’s label.


[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, U.S Grant, Abraham Lincoln] [Antique Photography, Daguerreotype, Ambrotype, Albumen, carte-de-visite, CDV, Tintype] [Civil War, Union, Confederate, Ulysses S. Grant, US Grant, Robert E. Lee, Abraham Lincoln]