Civil War
PYWELL, William R. (1843-1887), photographer. Marshall House, Alexandria, Virginia. August, 1862. Washington, DC: Alexander Gardner, 1866.

8 7/8 x 6 3/4 in. albumen photograph on 12 3/8 x 12 1/2 in. cardstock mount. Image credited to Pywell (negative) and Gardner (positive), copyrighted, titled, numbered, and dated on mount recto.

From Volume I of Gardner's Photographic Sketch Book of the War, this image of the Marshall House also features storefront signage for "Great Western Clothing House," "Dry Good Store," "J. W. J. Entwistle's City Bookstore," and others. Two women can be seen outside of the Dry Good Store, one being in motion at the moment the image was captured.

The Marshall House was the site of what is often considered the first Union casualty of the Civil War. In May of 1861, Colonel Elmer Ellsworth traveled across the Potomac River and entered the Marshall House to remove a large Confederate flag, which was reportedly visible from the White House, flying atop the inn. Ellsworth was shot dead by the innkeeper on the way down the stairs from the roof. His story inspired patriotism across the Union and his name became a rallying cry, with some regiments even calling themselves "Ellsworth's Avengers."

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Toning, minor spotting/soiling to print; mount with heavy toning and wear/loss to edges and corners.

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Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Katie Horstman

VP, Head of Department, American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

[email protected]513.666.4958

Ms. Horstman has spent over a decade specializing in historic photography and Americana at auction. During her tenure, she has overseen several notable single owner auctions, including property from the inventory of celebrated Americana and antique arms expert Norm Flayderman. During her time with the firm, she has maintained an active membership in the Daguerreian Society. Ms. Horstman holds an MA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Art History from The Ohio State University.

Visions of America: The Stephen White Collection

Civil War
PYWELL, William R. (1843-1887), photographer. Marshall House, Alexandria, Virginia. August, 1862. Washington, DC: Alexander Gardner, 1866.

Visions of America: The Stephen White Collection

Civil WarPYWELL, William R. (1843-1887), photographer. Marshall House, Alexandria, Virginia. August, 1862. Washington, DC: Alexander Gardner, 1866.

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Civil War
PYWELL, William R. (1843-1887), photographer. Marshall House, Alexandria, Virginia. August, 1862. Washington, DC: Alexander Gardner, 1866.