American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Half portrait of William Baker Curtis in uniform with major shoulder straps visible. Baltimore, MD: Ewing & Co., ca 1863. 1 1/4 x 1 7/8 in. oval albumen photograph on cardstock mount (toning with notable scratch to subject's neck area, mount with significant soiling and light wear to edges and corners). Photographer's imprint to recto. Signed to recto and with rank and regiment inscribed to verso.

Enlisted as a captain on 20 August 1862 and commissioned into Company D of the 12th West Virginia Infantry. He was promoted to major on 27 July 1863 (when this likeness was captured) and then to colonel on 26 January 1864. He was mustered out [with the regiment] on 16 June 1865 at Burkesville, VA.

The 12th West Virginia saw significant action in the late war, after West Virginia's statehood including the Second Battle of Winchester, the Gettysburg Campaign, and particularly the capture of Fort Gregg during the Siege of Petersburg. Cowan's previously sold another view of Curtis from the same photographer in 2014.

[With:] Standing portrait of John Henry. Syracuse & Oswego, NY: H. Lazier, n.d. 2 1/8 x 3 1/2 in. CDV on cardstock mount (light toning, pencil mark to subject's hat extending upward, mount corners clipped). Inscribed "To Uncle Simon From John Henry" to verso. Standing next a chair, Henry wears a frock coat and Hardee hat with visible acorns of a hat cord, but no other insignia visible.

[Also with:] Seated half-length portrait of an unidentified man. N.p.: N.p., n.d. 2 1/8 x 3 3/8 in. CDV on cardstock mount (light spotting, soiling, mount with light wear to corners).