Finding aid for the 19th century photographs collection
0127
Sue Luftschein
USC Libraries Special Collections
2012
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California 90089-0189
specol@usc.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Title: 19th century photographs collection
Identifier/Call Number: 0127
Identifier/Call Number: 318
Physical Description:
1.58 Linear Feet
2 boxes
Date (inclusive): circa 1860s-1870s
Abstract: Tintype, ambrotype, daguerreotype, cartes-de-visite, and cabinet card portrait photographs of the Civil War period (soldiers
and civilians).
Scope and Content
The collection consists of 49 tintypes, 10 ambrotypes, 1 daguerreotype, 24 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, family
portraits, 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.
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.
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.
Acquisition
Donated by Mr. and Mrs. Martin B. Retting, 1983.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ambrotypes (photographs)
Cabinet photographs
Cartes-de-visite (card photographs)
Cased photographs
Daguerreotypes (photographs)
Portraits -- United States -- 19th century -- Photographs
Tintypes (prints)
Soldiers -- United States -- 19th century -- Photographs
Box 1, Item 1-14
Civil War soldiers 435666
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, 79-80
Men, women and children 435674
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 2, Item 81
Four family tintypes in one hinged case
1865
Scope and Contents
Four family tintypes, in two-piece bookform case of guttapercha, containing motifs of three children at play between two trees;
with scroll and leaf border; four photos on interior; encased in stamped gilt metal foil of oval and cartouche shapes.
Box 2, Item 82
Young man - hinged oval case
circa 1860s
Box 2, Item 83
Young boy - hinged oval case
circa 1860s
Box 2, Item 85
Two men in low-crowned bowler hats and long coats
circa 1860s
Box 2, Item 86
Seated Civil War soldier
circa 1860s
Scope and Contents
The tintype is fitted into a guttapercha case depicting a sailing vessel adjacent to a fort flying the American flag -possibly
Fort Sumter.
Box 2, Item 87
Seated military figure wearing cape and holding hat
circa 1860s
Scope and Contents
Tintype housed in guttapercha bookform case depicting a standing military figure leaning on sword.
Box 1, Item 15-20
Civil War soldiers 435668
1860s
Scope and Content
Ambrotypes housed in embossed, book frames.
Box 1, Item 47-50
Men and women 435680
1860s-1870s
Scope and Content
Ambrotypes housed in embossed, book frames.
Box 2, Item 84
Seated young man - upper-right corner of frame chipped
circa 1860s
Box 1, Item 51-68, 77-78
Men and women 435696
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 69
Landscape with waterfall 435697
Box 1, Item 70
Group of people in front of house [in Nova Scotia?] 435698
Box 1, Item 71
Abraham Lincoln and family 435699
Box 1, Item 74
Photograph album 435704
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 73
Unidentified woman 435701
Box 1, Item 75-76
Frames 435709
Scope and Content
2 embossed book case frames, no photographs.