Photograph by
Hinkle, David, American, 1837 - 1916
Subject of
Bell, John R., American, died 1898
Signed by
Bell, John R., American, died 1898
Subject of
Nields, Henry C., American, 1838 - 1880
Date
1885
Medium
photographic gelatin and silver on photographic paper on card mount
Dimensions
H x W (image): 5 7/8 × 4 1/8 in. (15 × 10.4 cm)
H x W (sheet): 6 1/2 × 4 1/4 in. (16.5 × 10.8 cm)
Caption
John R. Bell was a steward on the Battleship Maine. Bell officially joined the Navy in 1871, although he may have begun his service as a servant to a naval officer during the Civil War. Prior to the Maine, he served on the St. Louis and Lancaster. He was known as a very kind man, beloved by the sailors on the ships he served. When the Maine was lost in Havana harbor in 1898, Bell was one of the missing men whose body was never recovered from the wreckage.
Description
A black-and-white cabinet card portrait of John R. Bell. He is pictured from the waist up and is looking directly at the camera. He has a mustache and goatee and is wearing a dark colored naval jacket over a dark colored necktie and white shirt. The jacket is double breasted with large buttons. A tie tack in the shape of an anchor adorns his necktie. The back of the photograph is inscribed "to Paul," and signed by John R. Bell, dated "Christmas 1885." A second inscription reads, "John R. Bell, with Lieutenant Commander Henry C. Neilds USN, Christmas 1885." The back also has the photographer’s mark, [Hinkle / 4739 & 41 / MAIN STREET GERMANTOWN PA.], at center.
Place captured
Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Liljenquist Family Collection
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Media Arts-Photography
Type
cabinet photographs
gelatin silver prints
portraits
Topic
Military
Photography
Slavery
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Liljenquist Family
Object number
2018.43.7
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5989680e1-bfb9-43d1-9214-7189a4caf2f6

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

Share this page