Photographs
Mammoth Size Mathew B. Brady Photograph of a Company of Soldiers
Mathew B. Brady, Signed in Plate, Original Photograph of a Company of Soldiers, Fine.
The photograph itself measures a huge 13.75” x 21.25”, and is mounted on a 16” x 23.5” piece of matboard. The name “Brady” appears as part of the photographic plate in the lower right corner. There are two one-inch tears to the left edge of the photograph and a six-inch tear across the upper left portion, taped on the back. In addition, the broken lower right corner is repaired with masking tape--these flaws could be compensated with proper matting and framing, as the image is quite nice. This unlabeled and undated photograph, taken probably 25 years after the Civil War, features about 100 uniformed soldiers with weapons, standing at rest, and three officers and a civilian in the center. The group is posed in front of what appears to be a government building, perhaps in Washington, D.C., where Brady had a studio. The initials “F. C. L.” have been penciled in at the bottom with a line pointing to the officer in the front row (probably a Captain). No doubt these are his initials. With some research his identity might be discovered. A few faces in the back row have been inked out, perhaps because they were simply bystanders. Exceedingly Rare, this is the first of these we have ever offered.