American Civil War Era Tintype Portrait of a Union Soldier and a Woman

This is an original mid-19th century tintype (ferrotype) photograph depicting a Union soldier and a woman, likely his wife. The image is captured on a thin rectangular sheet of iron coated with a dark lacquer or enamel. The soldier is seated, wearing a dark blue frock coat with a double row of brass buttons, a forage cap (kepi), and visible light-colored stripes on his sleeves, indicating a non-commissioned officer rank. The woman is standing beside him in a period-appropriate plaid or checkered dress with wide sleeves and a high neckline. The background features a studio setting with a draped column and a faint landscape backdrop. The tintype measures approximately 2.5 by 3.5 inches (sixth-plate size). Condition is consistent with age, showing significant flaking of the emulsion in the lower right corner and along the left edge, where the black iron plate is exposed. There is also general surface scratching, silvering around the edges, and minor bending of the metal plate. The monochromatic tones are typical of the 1860s collodion process, with high contrast between the dark uniform and the lighter facial features. No maker's marks are visible, which is common for these itinerant or studio-produced military portraits.

After examining the provided image of this sixth-plate tintype, I have determined it to be an authentic, mid-19th-century American Civil War era portrait. The clothing details are classic indicators of the 1861-1865 period: the soldier wears a standard Union frock coat with NCO chevrons and a forage cap, while the woman's wide sleeves and checkered pattern are consistent with 1860s civilian fashion. The medium itself—a direct positive on a lacquered iron sheet (ferrotype)—is unmistakable. The market for Civil War photography remains robust, particularly for images showing specific ranks or armed soldiers. However, the value of this specific piece is significantly hampered by its condition. While the subjects' faces are relatively clear, the substantial emulsion flaking in the lower right and left edges is a major detractor. The exposed black iron plate indicates significant loss of image data, and the bending of the metal suggests poor storage over the last 160 years. In pristine condition, a portrait of a soldier and wife can fetch upwards of $300-$500, but this example falls into a lower tier due to these conservation issues. Comparables for damaged sixth-plate tintypes of unidentified soldiers generally trade in the $100-$150 range on eBay or at military shows. The presence of the wife adds slight sentimental and historical interest, potentially pushing it toward the higher end of my estimate. Limitations of this appraisal include the inability to inspect the back of the plate or remove it from any potential housing to check for hidden tax stamps or inscriptions. An in-person inspection would verify the stability of the remaining emulsion, as flaking can be progressive without proper archival stabilization.