Quarter Plate Armed Civil War Soldier Tintype circa 1862

  

The tintype, actually misnamed, is a thin iron plate that has been coated with a black lacquer. This lacquer (japanned) provided a smooth tonal surface on which to develop the image and it prevented the iron from rusting. A photographer could prepare, expose, develop, and varnish a tintype plate in just a few minutes, making it the favorite process used by itinerant photographers during the American Civil War.

This quarter-plate tintype depicts an unidentified Union corporal posing before a painted backdrop. He stands erect with a fixed bayonet on his musket while holding his forage cap in his opposite hand. This "direct positive", being larger than the common 2 1/2 X 3 1/2 inch soldier tintype, measures 3 x 4 inches. This tintype features hand-painted gold highlights on the buttons, epaulets and brass eagle plate shoulder sling. Though there are obviously some condition issues, this early, compelling piece of history bears witness to our nation's terrible struggle for freedom against the dark institution of slavery.