The Collected Library, Including Americana and Early Photography

Lot comprised of the following:

Sixth plate, hand-colored tintype featuring a standing portrait of a Union soldier housed in half case, tape on case edges inscribed in modern hand with the soldier's name, "Ira S. Ruland" (light surface wear and some tarnish to edges of plate). At the age of 28, Ruland enlisted in March 1865 in Rochester, NY, as a private and mustered into Co. F, 8th New York Cavalry. He mustered out in June 1865 at Alexandria, VA. Also included are 2 photographs (4 3/4 x 6 1/2 in. or smaller) on cardstock mounts showing members of the Ruland family, one in which Ira is shown later in life, posed with his wife and children (soiling and toning to prints, edge and corner wear to mounts, including significant loss to one of the mounts).

Enclosed with the tintype is a ninth plate ruby ambrotype portrait of an unidentified Union corporal (strong clarity, overall very good). Housed in full case (separated at hinge) with paper label behind image promoting "Bigden's Ambrotypes & Photographs, 210 Main St., Sign of the Big Hand." It is unclear if the subject is related or associated with Ira S. Ruland, but both images were housed together in the same case with Ruland family photos.