Rare Cabinet Photo Lotta Crabtree As A CIVIL War Vivandiere By Gurney & Son

  

RARE CABINET PHOTO / CARTE IMPERIALE - LOTTA CRABTREE AS A CIVIL WAR VIVANDIERE - BY GURNEY & SON - POSSIBLY SIGNED - Most importantly, this image shows Miss Crabtree in a gorgeous Civil War era costume where she played a Vivandiere. Vivandiere's were the Canteen Girls during the war who served the troops a glass of wine or water to the injured. Some were even stationed at the front lines.

Note, Lotta has the small barrel with spout over her shoulder and a serving cup dangling below. Lotta wears the typical short skirt and other attire worn by these Sutlers or Canteen Women. Please Google Lotta Crabtree and you will soon see what a legendary superstar she was during the 19th Century both on and off the stage. Born in New York City, Lotta became an actress in 1863 during the Civil War. The amazing portrait is by one of the early photographic giants from New York City, Mr. Jeremiah Gurney and his son Benjamin.

The leading collector of Gurney's photographs has explained to me that Benjamin was responsible for the promotion of this larger Imperial style photograph to their customers. Although this image states on the bottom that the photo was entered or registered in 1868, there is a good chance the image was taken earlier during the war as a propaganda image for the Union soldiers. Note the backside has a pencil signature of "LOTTA" and since the front side clearly has her name printed in bold type, my hunch is this Carte was personally signed by the actress for one of her fans.

CONDITION: Please view my highly detailed photos for the actual condition and as part of my description. The image has Gurney and Son's stamp both on the front and back of this CDV. "Lotta" is also printed just below the image. The Carte Imperiale is in amazing condition with excellent contrast, tonal range and sharpness.

The card has only one small ding to the bottom left corner. The card measures approximately 4 1/4 X 6 1/2 inches. Overall, you are considering a rare photo of a early American Superstar portraying a Vivandiere and taken by a very accomplished photographer. The item "RARE CABINET PHOTO LOTTA CRABTREE AS A CIVIL WAR VIVANDIERE BY GURNEY & SON" is in sale since Sunday, November 1, 2020. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Photographic Images\Vintage & Antique (Pre-1940)\Cabinet Photos". The seller is "nic-o-matic" and is located in Lawrence, Kansas.

This item can be shipped to United States.

• Region of Origin: US
• Modified Item: No
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Listed By: Dealer or Reseller
• Date of Creation: 1800'S
• Photo Type: CARTE IMPERIALE
• Original/Reprint: Original Print