Up for sale is a remarkably rare, historically intact American Civil War-era family photograph album dating firmly to the 1860s. This album documents the interconnected Pierce and Medland families, making it an exceptional find for military historians, genealogy researchers, and advanced photography collectors.
Special & High-Value Highlight Portraits:
Rare Zouave Cadet Uniform Portrait: A stellar standout image featuring a young boy posing proudly in a meticulously detailed, miniature Civil War Zouave cadet military uniform, complete with an open-front piping jacket, waist sash, and distinct striped/trimmed trousers.
Ornate Tassel-Framed Soldier CDV: A beautifully preserved portrait of a Civil War soldier in a dark, high-collar military jacket, elegantly housed within a highly detailed, ornate printed gold Victorian tassel frame built directly into the album page.
Militia / Confederate-Style 9-Button Portrait: A crisp portrait of a bearded soldier identified by period pencil initials as "W.B.P." wearing a 9-button frock coat uniform consistent with early-war State Militia or Confederate issue rather than standard Union regulation.
Genealogical & Historical Value:
Crucial period pencil-written names and family relations are present next to several photo slots, making this a traceable genealogical archive. Hand-written identifications include Flora Medland, Jan Medland, O. Pierce, Nat Mc Pierce, the designation "Sister," and initials "M.P." and "N.P."
High-Fashion Portraits & Formats:
Features a beautiful mix of standard paper Cartes de Visite (CDVs) and tiny Gem tintypes. Highlights include Victorian women in early-1860s dome hoop skirts (crinolines), tartan/plaid patterns, checkered prints, lace details, a paisley shawl, and a dapper gentleman in a rare formal outerwear cape/cloak.
Premium Hardware & Gilt Edges:
Features decorative gold gilt-edged internal pages that remain reflective when closed. Includes a Gem tintype set directly into an oval star-motif border frame. The deeply embossed leather album retains all six of its original brass protective studs (bosses) on the front cover and features its original, fully functional, ornate floral brass closure clasp with a central inset white stone accent.
Condition Report:
The deeply embossed leather binding shows expected shelf wear, scuffing, and noticeable leather chipping to the spine consistent with its 160+ year age. The book remains completely stable and holds together securely, with its original ornate brass closure clasp fully intact. Faint historic pencil markings are present on the inner pages, and all photographs remain safely and securely housed.
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