Photograph by
Unidentified
Subject of
Unidentified Man or Men
Date
1861-1865
Medium
albumen and silver on paper on card mount
Dimensions
H x W (Image): 3 3/4 × 2 1/4 in. (9.5 × 5.7 cm)
H x W (Sheet): 4 × 2 3/8 in. (10.2 × 6 cm)
Caption
This unidentified young man's age combined with his civilian clothing (excepting the kepi) and his carrying of a canteen and valise indicate he was likely the servant of a U.S. military officer and not a soldier himself. The teenager is probably carrying the canteen and valise of the officer who employed or enslaved him.
Description
A carte-de-visite with an albumen print depicting an unidentified young man or teenaged boy wearing civilian and military clothing in front of a camp scene backdrop. He wears a kepi, a dark vest buttoned over a high-necked white shirt, a light colored roundabout jacket, and light colored baggy trousers. A canteen is slung across his chest and he holds a valise in his left hand. A pocket watch can be seen on his left chest on top of his vest, and another metal pin is attached at his proper right breast onto his vest. The painted studio backdrop behind him depicts a military camp scene with tents, soldiers by a cannon, and a U.S. flag flying from a tall pole. The print is mounted on off-white cardboard. Written at the reverse top edge in graphite is the name "Ben".
Collection title
Liljenquist Family Collection
Classification
Photographs and Still Images
Type
cartes-de-visite
albumen prints
portraits
Topic
Children
Military
Photography
Slavery
U.S. History, Civil War, 1861-1865
Youth
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Liljenquist Family Collection
Object number
2016.166.21
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5e9ba35b6-4f75-4ad7-9a9b-f72bf836b4f4

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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