1860s Gem Tintype Album 44 Photos Civil War Soldier Massachusetts Richardson

  

Charming miniature 1860s photograph album containing 44 gem tintype portraits , including a uniformed Civil War-era soldier and numerous portraits of men, women, and children. The small red leather album is elaborately decorated in gilt, with gilt page edges and its original patterned metal clasp. Each tiny tintype is mounted within an ornate gilt printed oval surround, giving the album an unusually decorative appearance despite its diminutive size. Of particular interest, at least two of the tintypes retain photographer labels for Richardson of North Bridgewater, Massachusetts , including the portrait of the uniformed soldier. Photographer Charles Franklin Richardson is documented working in North Bridgewater from 1864 to 1868 , placing these labeled photographs firmly within the Civil War and immediate postwar period.

The presence of multiple photographs from the same North Bridgewater studio strongly suggests that this album represents a Massachusetts family, social circle, or community group , although the individual sitters are unidentified. The album survives as a substantial intact group rather than a collection of loose photographs, preserving the original relationship among these miniature portraits.

Format: Miniature gem tintype photograph album. Photographer: At least two labeled Richardson, North Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Subjects: Men, women, children, and one uniformed Civil War-era soldier. Binding: Red leather with gilt decoration. Hardware: Original patterned metal clasp.

Page Decoration: Gilt printed oval portrait surrounds and gilt page edges. Good antique condition overall with age and use consistent with a photograph album approximately 160 years old. Leather shows rubbing, edge wear, and losses, particularly along the spine and corners. Gilt decoration remains attractive and readily visible.

The interior shows age toning, spotting, wear, and some looseness and separation to the album structure. Individual tintypes vary in condition, with some showing scratches, oxidation, surface loss, or other deterioration.

One image is substantially obscured. The Richardson photographer label shown in the photographs has losses but remains partially readable. Photographer labels and other identifying information are noted where visible or where a photograph could be safely examined.

All 44 gem tintypes are included. Please see photographs for the best description of condition.