Finding aid for the 19th century photographs collection
0127
Finding aid prepared by Sue Luftschein
USC Libraries Special Collections
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California, 90089-0189
213-740-5900
specol@usc.edu
2012
Title: 19th century photographs collection
Collection number: 0127
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 Linear feet
1 box
Date: circa 1860s-1870s
Abstract: Tintype, ambrotype, cartes-de-visite, and cabinet card portrait photographs of the Civil War period (soldiers and civilians).
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder# or item name], 19th century photographs collection, Collection no. 0127, Special Collections, USC Libraries,
University of Southern California
Conditions Governing Access
Advance notice required for access.
Acquisition
Donated by Mr. and Mrs. Martin B. Retting, 1983.
Scope and Content
The collection consists of 40 tintypes, 10 ambrotypes, 22 cartes-de-visite, 1 photograph album of cartes-de-visite, and 1
cabinet card, created during the 1860s and 1870s and depicting portraits of Civil War soldiers and civilians, landscapes,
and an animal. The identified photographers include C.V. Tarbox; M.G. Trank, Bangor, ME; A.H. Dresser, Bucksport, MA; J.P.
Merrill, Bangor, ME; Mather; Titusville, PA; J.P. and F.W. Hardy, Bangor, ME; Bogardus, New York, NY; D.C. Dinsmore, Dover,
ME; Miller & Rowell, Boston, MA; Bowdoin, Taylor & Co., Alexandria, VA; J.R. Foster, Great Falls, NH; Davis & Co., Boston,
MA; H.L. Kilgore, Belfast, ME; W. Chase, Halifax, Nova Scotia; J.L. Lovell, Amherst, MA; Lovell & Knowlton, Northampton, MA;
S.W. Sawyer, Bangor, ME; Holmes' Park Gallery, New York, NY. Most of the tintypes and ambrotypes are housed in ornately embossed
book-case frames.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ambrotypes (photographs)
Cabinet photographs
Cartes-de-visite (card photographs)
Portraits--United States--19th century--Photographs
Soldiers--United States--19th century--Photographs
Tintypes (prints)
Box 1, Item 1-14
Civil War soldiers
1860s
Scope and Content
With the exception of items 1 and 2, all tintypes are mounted in embossed book-style frames.
Box 1, Item 21-46
Men, women and children
circa 1860s-1870s
Scope and Content
Items 21-25 are 5 tintypes mounted on embossed cards with domed pediments. Items 26-29 are 4 tintypes (1 woman, 3 men), oval,
mounted on embossed mats. Items 30-39 are 10 tintypes of men and women, miniature in size, mounted on embossed mats. Item
40 depicts a mother and child and is mounted on an embossed card with a domed pediment. Item 41 is a miniature tintype framed
with a small gilt border and mounted on an embossed card. Item 42 is unmounted. Item 43 depicts a dog. Items 44-46 are housed
in embossed book frames.
Box 1, Item 15-20
Civil War soldiers
1860s
Scope and Content
Ambrotypes housed in embossed, book frames.
Box 1, Item 47-50
Men and women
1860s-1870s
Scope and Content
Ambrotypes housed in embossed, book frames.
Box 1, Item 51-68
Men and women
1860s-1870s
Scope and Content
Items 54-63 depict men and women full figure or head and shoulders. Items 64-70 are busts only.
Box 1, Item 70
Group of people in front of house [in Nova Scotia?]
Box 1, Item 71
Abraham Lincoln and family
Box 1, Item 74
Photograph album
Scope and Content
Photograph album of mounted cartes-de-visite depicting Civil War soldiers, Civil War political figures, men and women. Many
of the sitters are identified; many of the photographs have notations of location.
Box 1, Item 75-76
Frames
Scope and Content
2 embossed book case frames, no photographs.
