American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Composite CDV featuring portraits of 14 Treasury Agents, taken the 4th of July 1863 (one day after Gettysburg, although they would not have gotten the news yet). 

[With:] 2 CDVs with manuscript inscriptions, first "E. Leuchtenrath to his good friend John H. Wray, Paris Febr. 1864." Second with "E. Leuchtenrath to his friend John H. Wray Paris June 62." A third CDV also shows Leuchtenrath, but is not inscribed by him. The US Congressional Record notes that E. Leuchtenrath was a Special Agent of the US Treasury during the Civil War stationed in Paris, France. Leuchtenrath was apparently stationed there because he was keeping an eye on exports of Wine and Champagne from Paris. The exports of the vineyards were being undervalued by the exporters to cut US tax revenues since the taxes were based on a percent of the value.

[With:] CDV that appears to show J.A. Connor. -- CDV showing the person in the upper right of composite CDV, possibly A. De Feyster(?). -- 4 CDVs showing the same gentleman in a top hat - front, back, seated, and a traditional head and shoulders portrait. Identified on the composite as John H. Wray, who was a Special Agent of the US Treasury. (left side, 4th row).

Consignor relates that this group of CDVs may have come from a family album previously owned by John H. Wray.