c. 1862. Sixth plate hand-tinted & gilt tintype. Leatherette case. Anonymous artist.

Finding a truly immaculate Civil War image some 165 years since the conclusion of the conflict is a rare occurrence; this ambrotype of a Confederate officer is one of them. That it has remained in such remarkable condition is even more impressive considering it was a part of the long-missing Herb Peck collection. This image is a true survivor, finally able to be enjoyed and studied anew.

The subject wears a classic regulation Confederate officer’s coat with iconic gold braid quatrefoil embroidered on its sleeves. Tasteful blue tinting on his cuffs indicate this officer helped to lead an infantry regiment. The fine officer’s sword he holds is unsheathed.





[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.