Hawkins Zouave 6th Plate Daguerreotype Teenage Civil War Soldier Photo

  

With some effort I was able to identify the soldier as a member of the 9th New York Volunteer Infantry, the famed Hawkins Zouaves. The soldier doesn't appear much older than 15 or 16 and its possible he served as a drummer boy. His soft earnest face embodies the optimism felt by a country on the brink of war.

The daguerreotype is masterfully tinted. The inside velvet is signed BOGARDUS - ARTIST / NEW YORK. It was photographed circa 1861, most likely by Abraham Bogardus in New York City. There is a Matthew Brady photo of the Hawkins Zouaves depicting a few soldiers in similar uniforms.

From Cowan's Auctions features a daguerreotype of a known Hakwins Zouave dressed identically. The image itself is a rarity for the 1860's, as by then the daguerreotype was an almost obsolete photographic method. Reiser's jacket and kepi appear to be the Hawkins' officer pattern, sans rank insignia. This is likely the first pattern Hawkins Zouave uniform, as distinguished from the second pattern jacket which is part of this group.

An important and beautiful image. It will be a highlight of your collection. This 6th plate daguerreotype is housed in a full case embossed with thistles. The cover is detached but the original binding is present. The old seals are also present but broken and brittle.

As the image was unsealed, I examined the plate briefly and removed a few pieces of sealing paper that were loose between the glass and the image. The final photo was taken after I had reassembled the image. Any resealing or restoration has been left to your discretion. The image is clear and has great detail. Some tarnish on edges and dust on glass.

The item "Hawkins Zouave 6th Plate Daguerreotype Teenage Civil War Soldier Photo" is in sale since Wednesday, April 18, 2018. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Civil War (1861-65)\Original Period Items\Photographs". The seller is "pvt-eye" and is located in Huntsville, Alabama. This item can be shipped to United States.

• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States