American Historical Ephemera & Photography

A group of 17 CDVs and cabinet cards of sailors, ca late 19th century-early 20th century, including:

Standing portrait of two USN sailors posed casually next to one another. Livorno, Italy: Bartolena, n.d. (clipped corners, toning, few spots of discoloration). Photographer's imprint on verso along with pencil inscription reading, "U.S.S. Quinnebaug." -- Oval half portrait of an older mustached USN sailor with talley identifying him to the USS Omaha. Yokohama, Japan: Toocoku, n.d. (toning, significatn surface soiling, spotting). Photographer's imprint to verso. The Omaha was a screw sloop of war launched in 1869. -- And 7 other CDVs, at least 6 of which feature USN enlisted sailors, many with Japanese and Chinese backmarks. -- Together, 9 CDVs featuring sailors, each 2 1/4 x 3 5/8 in. or smaller, on cardstock mounts. Toning, soiling, and corner clipping to many. 

Standing portrait of a US Naval Academy cadet identified as Tasuku Serata. [Annapolis, MD]: F.M. Zuller, [1881] (toning and spotting throughout). Mount recto and verso with photographer's imprints. Ink identification to verso dates the photograph to 22 July 1881. -- Standing portrait of a mustached naval sailor posed with nautical studio props, wearing a cap talley identifying him to the USRC Fessenden. Detroit: McMichael, n.d. (light oning and spotting). Photographer's imprint to mount recto. -- And 6 other cabinet cards featuring naval enlistees and naval academy cadets. -- Together, 8 cabinet cards featuring sailors, each 3 3/4 x 5 1/2 in. or larger, on cardstock mounts. Toning, soiling, and wear to edges and corners generally present. 

[With:] 3 7/8 x 5 1/2 in. silver gelatin portrait on cardstock mount (light silvering, surface soil and wear to mount including adhesive residue/removal and lower left corner loss). Binghamton, NY: Dearstyne, n.d. Mount recto marked for Dearstyne. A young sailor poses casually, leaning against a large wooden studio chair. His cap talley is indecipherable.