Sixth plate hand-tinted & gilt daguerreotype. Leatherette case. Anonymous artist.

Charming daguerreotype of a young horse soldier who likely belonged to a state militia dragoon unit.The subject wears an interesting uniform jacket faced in the style of a Hussar with three rows of ball buttons; his matching trousers sport a wide stripe tinted orange. His pants are secured with a white buff leather belt fastened by a brass US plate, the color preference of the regular Army until the early 1850’s. A magnificent shako rests beside him on the photographer’s table, adorned with a large horsehair plume.

The subject’s distinct uniform offers a possibility for further identification and research. It is reasonable to assume this sitter had the opportunity to serve as a wartime cavalryman just a few years after having this likeness made.








[Daguerreotype, Ambrotype, Tintype, Carte-de-visite, CDV, Albumen, Mexican War, Mexican American War, Civil War, Slavery, Abolitionist, Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Early Photography]

Provenance: Herb Peck assembled one of the first and greatest collections of historic American photography before it was stolen in 1978 from his Nashville home. Once thought lost forever, authorities recently traced an unexpected clue and discovered many of Herb’s images unscathed after nearly 45 years in hiding. These daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and tintypes comprise one of the most important collections of Civil War portrait photography ever curated. Herb Peck was a true pioneer who understood both the historic and artistic merit of portraits showing the common Civil War soldier at a time when they were often overlooked. These photographs are deeply important to our shared American history, and Fleischer's Auctions is proud to make them publicly available on behalf of the Peck family.

As represented. For a full condition report, please email us.