c. 1862. Sixth plate hand-tinted & gilt ambrotype. Half leatherette case. Charles Rees. Richmond, Virginia.

Impressive portrait of a Confederate infantryman who displays a large Bowie knife and musket, the latter of which is held in a “shoulder arms” position.

The subject wears a well-fitted pleated shirt and gray trousers, both constructed from coarse material. A cockade or sprig of flowers is attached to the underside of his slouch hat, which he pinned upward in the common military style of the era. A handkerchief dangles below his cartridge box; those interested in material research will enjoy the clear view of this accoutrement along with his cap pouch.

Though unsigned, this image can be confidently attributed to photographer Charles Rees. Rees operated in Richmond, Virginia, the capitol of the Confederacy during the Civil War. There, he produced some of the most vivid and memorable solider photographs of the era.

This example is a detail-rich study that rewards careful examination.



[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.

Two fractures to the plate. Otherwise, its condition is as it’s represented. For a full condition report, please email us.