Lot of 2, including quarter plate ambrotype and sixth plate tintype of a fresh-faced militia private, taken during the same sitting. Seated in full uniform, the young private wears a silk, patriotic cockade on his chest and a US belt plate. The M1851 shako, placed on the table beside him, features a spread-winged eagle device as well as the initials VCG (in reverse), possibly an acronym for the Valley City Guards, a militia unit out of Grand Rapids, MI. In the quarter plate ambrotype, the soldier, whose uniform is tinted blue, holds his musket with bayonet. He is shown with an angler bayonet at his side in the sixth plate tintype, which includes a penciled inscription behind the image, that states in part: Look here upon this picture and on this/ the counterfeit presentation of life (?)/ See which ? was seated on his ?, plus a penciled identification that is difficult to decipher, but appears to include: F.M. B?. Many of the men who served with the Valley City Guards later went on to serve in the 3rd Michigan Infantry during the Civil War, which saw action at Fair Oaks, Bull Run, and Yorktown. Provenance: From the Estate of Kenneth Erwin, Portland, Michigan Condition: Ambrotype exhibits scattered spotting on plate; tintype with light scratching near top right corner, but image is quite clear. Both housed in full cases, although ambrotype's case separated at hinge.
Lot of 2, including quarter plate ambrotype and sixth plate tintype of a fresh-faced militia private, taken during the same sitting. Seated in full uniform, the young private wears a silk, patriotic cockade on his chest and a US belt plate. The M1851 shako, placed on the table beside him, features a spread-winged eagle device as well as the initials VCG (in reverse), possibly an acronym for the Valley City Guards, a militia unit out of Grand Rapids, MI. In the quarter plate ambrotype, the soldier, whose uniform is tinted blue, holds his musket with bayonet. He is shown with an angler bayonet at his side in the sixth plate tintype, which includes a penciled inscription behind the image, that states in part: Look here upon this picture and on this/ the counterfeit presentation of life (?)/ See which ? was seated on his ?, plus a penciled identification that is difficult to decipher, but appears to include: F.M. B?. Many of the men who served with the Valley City Guards later went on to serve in the 3rd Michigan Infantry during the Civil War, which saw action at Fair Oaks, Bull Run, and Yorktown. Provenance: From the Estate of Kenneth Erwin, Portland, Michigan Condition: Ambrotype exhibits scattered spotting on plate; tintype with light scratching near top right corner, but image is quite clear. Both housed in full cases, although ambrotype's case separated at hinge.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
