Gardner Civil War Photo: Ruins Stone Bridge, Bull Run

This albumen photo: "Ruins of Stone Bridge, Bull Run, VA" is from an original nineteenth century edition of Gardner’s Photographic Sketch Book of the War (Washington: Philp & Solomons, 1865–66). We have two pages from the Sketch Book. One page has the descriptive caption for the Stone Bridge albumen photograph that is mounted on board which is the other page.

It is estimated that only 200 copies of the Sketch Book were produced. Gardner’s Photographic Sketch Book of the War was published in two editions, one in 1865 and the other in 1866. Each edition consisted of two volumes of fifty albumen print photographs with a descriptive caption accompanying each image. The original photographic prints were pasted onto boards, which were then bound together with letterpress-printed text. The set of two volumes sold for $150, a large amount of money at that time which was due to the amount of work that it took to mass produce a photographically illustrated book. These two pages come from one of those 200 copies. These are the only pages that we have. The pages measure 12 3/4" by 17 3/4", measured from the outside while the pages are closed. The albumen photograph itself that is mounted on one page measures 7" tall by 9" wide.

The condition of the page with the caption is as follows: It has some light bends, a piece missing from the upper edge that measures 5/8" by 3/4" which is visible in the accompanying photograph, and a 3/8" edge tear in the upper edge, The lower edge has a 3/4" horizontal tear (parallel with the edge) near the outer corner. That page has a separation at the inner edge that measures 2". The caption on the page reads as follows:

"This sketch represents a portion of the field of the battle of Bull Run, fought on the 21st of July, 1861, by the forces under Gen. McDowell and Gen. Beauregard. In a general order, issued on the 20th, Gen. McDowell said: "The enemy has planted a battery on the Warrenton turnpike to defend the passage of Bull Run; has seized the stone bridge, and made a heavy abatis on the right bank, to oppose our advance in that direction. The ford above the bridge is also guarded, whether with artillery or not, is not positively known, but every indication favors the belief that he proposes to defend the passage of the stream. It is intended to turn the position, force the enemy from the road, that it may be re-opened, and, if possible, destroy the railroad leading from Manasses to the Valley of Virginia, where the enemy has a large force." General McDowell commenced operations with the divisions of Tyler, Hunter, Heintzelman, and Miles—33,000 men; 18,000 of whom were engaged. The strength of the enemy was about the same, and was all engaged. The plan of the attack was for Tyler's division to threaten the passage of the bridge, Miles to make a demonstration at Blackburn's Ford, two miles below, and the divisions of Hunter and Heintzleman to move up the stream ten miles, and by a flank movement surprise and overwhelm the enemy while occupied with the two other divisions. The country at that time was densely wooded, and the entire portion shown in the sketch occupied by the Confederates. It was expected that Hunter and Heintzelman would strike the left of the enemy at daylight on the 21st, but owing to unforeseen obstacles, failed to reach the designated point until after ten o'clock. This delay revealed the movement to Beauregard, who immediately disposed his forces to meet it by extending them obliquely across the turnpike, facing the bridge, at a distance of about two miles. Hunter, Heintzelman, and Tyler, who had crossed the bridge, attacked the enemy, and the engagement became general; our forces, after a severe struggle, driving him in great confusion from the field, and occupying the turnpike. The fighting had nearly ceased, and Gen. McDowell was expressing his thanks to some of his officers for their services, when Johnston's reinforcements from Winchester suddenly appeared in rear of our right, and threw our lines into utter confusion. A feeble attempt was made to repulse the attack, but the regiments rapidly broke to pieces, and forming a mass of terror-stricken fugitives, rushed from the field down across the bridge, which soon became obstructed by wagons, and to prevent pursuit by the enemy was destroyed. A portion of this ground was fought over in the battles of Gen. Pope in 1862, and hundreds of acres still bear evidences of those fearful scenes."

The condition of the page with the albumen photograph is as follows: There are two marks on the lower right in the margin near the outer corner in the white area of the page that may be from an ink pen and a tiny mark in the upper right margin. You can see them in the accompanying photograph. Just to the left of center of the bottom edge of the mounted photograph there is a 1/2" defect that appears to be either a scratch or a repaired wrinkle or tear in the photograph. If you look at the larger image online, the location of that is immediately above the text that reads, "by A." which is to the left of center. There is a bit of shininess to the surface on top of that defect that indicates the application of something to touch it up or stabilize it. On the left edge of the photograph are three bits of white paper attached to the surface. These could probably be removed by an expert who is familiar with how to remove paper that is attached to a photograph without harming the photograph. The largest of the little pieces of white paper measures 5/16" by 3/16". The next largest measures about 1/8" by 1/8", The smallest is about 1/8" by 1/16". These paper pieces do not appear to have come from the adjacent page with the caption as there is no evidence of any missing paper from the surface of that page.

Printed beneath the image is the following: "Negative by Barnard & Gibson. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, by A. Gardner, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Columbia. Positive by A. Gardner, 511 7th St., Washington." Centered below that is printed, "Ruins of Stone Bridge, Bull Run." In the lower left corner is printed, "No. 7." At the bottom right is printed, "March, 1862."

Click here to see the Eastman House's information online about the Photographic Sketchbook. If you scroll down on the Eastman House page, you will find an example of Plate 7 "Ruins of Stone Bridge, Bull Run" from the Photographic Sketchbook of the War.

Price: $750.00

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Reference number: 3059.jpg

 

Framed Robley Johnson Photograph: Hanford, 1944

This is a framed black and white photograph by Robley Johnson. The name and date: “Robley Johnson ’44” is signed in ink just below the right lower corner of the photograph on the mat. On the brown paper on the back the name “Hanford” is written lightly in pencil. The wood frame measures 15 1/4” by 19 3/4”. The image measures 8 3/8” by 12 3/4”.

Richland, Washington was a farming village until 1942 when it became part of the 400,000 acre reservation of the Hanford Engineer Works and the Manhattan Project which worked on the development of the atomic bomb. Robley Johnson was the official photographer at the Hanford Site. In researching the photographs of Robley Johnson, our best guess as to the area where this photo was taken is that it is in a shrub-steppe area of the Hanford Reach, a wildlife refuge area in south central Washington State that served as a buffer around the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. The Hanford Reach was declared a National Monument in the year 2000.

This particular photograph looks different from official photographs by Johnson and his crew of photographers that documented particular locations of the Hanford Site for the purposes of the Manhattan Project. This photograph looks more beautiful than the official photographs. The landscape is beautiful with a dramatic sky. I am wondering if this image was one that was done as more of an “art” photograph by Robley Johnson than the many official government photographs that were made at that time at the Hanford Site.

The condition of this photograph is excellent. There is a tiny piece of debris that is caught between the mat and the glass which we do not want to remove as that would involve taking the photo out of the frame and taking off the original paper backing which is still intact. This photograph will require extra padding and careful packing due to its being framed behind glass.

Price: $200.00

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Wilhelm Von Gloeden RPPC Photo of Sicilian Youth circa 1905

A circa 1905 photograph by the famous gay German photographer Wilhelm von Gloeden. The image is of a Sicilian youth wearing a wreath of leaves and flowers in his hair. On the back is printed: "Italien aufnahmen. Taormina Sicilien, Frei bearbeitet von W. v. Gloeden, Adolph Engel, Vereinigte Photolithographische & Papierwaren - Jndustrie. G. m. b. H. Berlin 1905. Hinterlegt beim Musterschutz - Register Amtsgericht Berlin". I do not know German so have done a rough translation using an online translator. The translation is roughly: "Italy recordings. Taormina Sicily, edited by W. von Gloeden, Adolph Engel, United Photolithographic & Stationery - industry of. G. m. b. H. Berlin, 1905. Deposited with the design protection - Local District Court Berlin". Adolph Engel was the German publisher of the postcard.

The postcard measures 5 7/16" by 3 1/2". It is postally unused and has a divided back. The front is excellent with only a small bit of wear to the corners. The back has a little bit of age toning near the edges.

Price: $200.00

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Portrait of Sport Photographer Louis Van Oeyen, No. 110

Here is a glossy black and white photographic portrait of the Cleveland based photographer Louis Van Oeyen (1865-1946) that is interesting in that it is a photograph of a photographer who has a place in the history of American photography taken by another photographer who has an even bigger name in the history of American photography: Margaret Bourke White.

We have two similar photographs of Van Oeyen by Bourke White. This one is marked No. 110 with the Van Oeyen stamp on the back and Van Oeyen is looking toward the viewer's left. It measures 7 3/16" by 9".

Louis Van Oeyen was the first staff photographer hired at the Cleveland Press in 1901. His great love was baseball. He became the official photographer for the American League in 1908 and for the World Series until 1922. The Western Reserve Historical Society Library owns a collection of his work.

On the photograph back is printed Van Oeyen's stamp with his name, "L. Van Oeyen." as can be seen in the accompanying pictures. The line for subject is filled in with the following: "Photo of Van Oeyen by Margaret Burke (sic) White Dec. 15 -34 Made in Cleve. when Marg. B. W. operated here." The spelling of Bourke White's name is given as it appears on the back. The hand of the writer is the same hand that has filled in the information on the other Van Oeyen photograph that we have. I assume that the person who filled in the information on the back stamps of both of our Van Oeyen photographs was Van Oeyen himself.

The question is did Van Oeyen or Bourke White print this photograph? Did Bourke White print it and give it to Van Oeyen and he stamped their backs and filled in the information? Did Bourke White gave Van Oeyen the negative and he printed it himself from the negative? Or did Van Oeyen make copies from Bourke White prints? Is this Bourke White's original print or is it a copy of Bourke White's original print printed by Van Oeyen?

In any event, the worst case scenario is that Van Oeyen made a copy of Bourke White's photograph of Van Oeyen that was given to him by Bourke White. The best case scenario is that this photo was printed by Bourke White and given to Van Oeyen who stamped the back with his own stamp. If there isn't any identical Bourke White photograph of Van Oeyen that was signed by her, then that might indicate that this was the only example and was printed by her.

We did compare the photograph to the other Van Oeyen photographs that we have and have noted that none of the others in our possession are printed with this size of white border. The others have thinner borders or no borders. If they were printed by Van Oeyen, then it seems logical that they would match up in format to other photographs printed by him. However, we don't have a very large sampling with which to compare them nor have we seen any photographs that were known to be printed by Bourke White in the time period when she worked in Cleveland.

We don't know the answers to the questions that I have raised. We do guarantee that the stamps and information on the back are Van Oeyen stamps and information put there by Van Oeyen or his assistant. Perhaps someone else out there who is reading this will know more than we do.

The condition of ths black and white silver photograph is excellent and can be seen in the image that accompanies this listing.

Price: $300.00

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Reference number: 3449.jpg

Portrait of Sport Photographer Louis Van Oeyen, No. 114

This is the second Van Oeyen photograph taken by Bourke White that we have. This is the one that is marked No. 114 in the Van Oeyen stamp on the back and Van Oeyen is looking toward the viewer's right. It measures 7 1/8" by 9". The same questions as to whether Van Oeyen or Bourke White printed the image exist for this image as for the first image described.

Price: $300.00

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Reference number: 3450.jpg

 

 

Wendt Cabinet Card Photo of Baby Sun, Youngest Clown on Record, 1903

"Baby Sun, Youngest Clown On Record with SUN BROS. SHOWS season 1903". This cabinet photo was taken by "Frank Wendt, Photo Artist," The card is marked Boonton, N. J. on the same line as the Frank Wendt marking. I do not know whether Wendt had a location in Boonton N. J. or whether that was the location of the circus. Normally Wendt photos of circus performers that I have seen have a New York marking. So, this is a point that I am not clear on. The photo with mount measures 6 3/8" long by 4 1/8" wide.

Baby Sun is possibly George Sun, Jr. (1898-1986) who began performing as a clown at the age of three. His father, George Sun, established the Sun Bros. Great United Shows in 1895. The date, Sept. 30, 1903, is written in pencil on the back of the card. Beneath the date on the back is written the name Mary Louise Cookus.

For more information on the Sun family, click the link and scroll down to "Sun Brothers": Link on circushistory.org with mention of Sun Brothers

Price: $225.00

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Reference number: 2100.jpg

Tintype & Wendt Cabinet Photos of Happy Jack Eckert

Two photographs of "Happy Jack Eckert" at different times in his life. He was born in 1877 and died in either 1937 or '39. (I found differing years of death for him in online articles.) One photograph is a late nineteenth century tintype of Happy Jack when he was a six year old boy and the other is cabinet photograph of Happy Jack taken by Wendt of Boonton, N. J. In the tintype his bare toes peek out beneath the bottoms of his pant legs.

The tintype measures 3 1/4 by 1 7/8". Tintypes of Happy Jack are very rare. The cabinet photo measures 6 1/2" by 4 3/16". The condition of the photos can be seen in the accompanying image.The tintype is dark and has little contrast. Paper is stuck to the back. The cabinet is a bit faded and soft. Below the image is printed: "Happy Jack Eckert, Wendt, Photos. Boonton N.J." On the back is printed information about Happy Jack with the title: "The Original Happy Jack Eckert." Among other things it states that "Happy Jack is the Largest Moose in the World. L.O.O.M., Alexandria 861." And that he "Was awarded the Gold Medal, August 10th, 1914, for being the largest man in the U. S. A., also the largest Elk, being a member of B. P. O. E., Americus, Ga., No. 752."

Price: $1,000.00

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Reference number: 3507.jpg

Wendt Cabinet Photo Horvath Smallest People in World

Late nineteenth century cabinet card photograph showing six little people in formal dress. Printed below the image is, "Wendt, Ivory Process, Boonton, NJ." Printed on the back is, "S. Horvath Midgets, The Smallest People in the World" with the names, ages, heights, and some background information about them. The cabinet card measures 6 1/2" by 4 1/4". The upper left corner has a 5/8" diagonal crease. The lower left corner is a little bumped. The image is somewhat faded and the mat shows browning. There is a little 1/16" imperfection in the left edge of the paper of the image.

Price: $50.00

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Reference number: 4110.jpg

 

 

Waino & Plutano & 3rd Man CDV Photo Chas. Eisenmann N.Y.

Original cdv photo circa 1870's of Waino and Plutano the tiny people & a third man. We do not know who the third man is. Below their names is printed "Weight 45 pounds Age 50 to 60".

The photo has the photographer's mark on the back of the famous "Chas. Eisenmann Photographer 229 Bowery New York". Charles Eisenmann was well known for taking the photos of many circus performers, midgets, & assorted well known people of the era.

The cdv measures 4 1/16" by 2 7/16". The edge of the mount shows some wear. The photo has excellent tones & pleasing visual appeal. The precise condition is shown in the pics.

Price: $155.00

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Reference number: 4441.jpg

Eisenmann Cabinet Card Photo Texas Giants, Circus

Cabinet card photograph of the Shields brothers who were known as “The Texas Giants”. They appeared in the Barnum & Bailey circus sideshow in the 1880s. Their names were Shade, Guss, Frank, and Jack Shields. Their heights were said to be from 7’8” to just under 8’. The cabinet measures 6 7/16” by 4 3/16”. Printed on the mount below the image is, “Eisenmann, Photo, 229 Bowery, N.Y.” Printed on the back is, “Chas. Eisenmann, The Popular Photographer, 229 Bowery, N.Y.” There is some soiling to the mount, a bit of wear to the edges of the lower right corner, and a bit of light fading to the image. In the right upper margin at the edge there is a 3/16” tear to the surface paper that does not affect the image area.

Price: $300.00

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Reference number: 4719.jpg

Eisenmann Cabinet Card Photo Circus Sideshow Fat Lady

Cabinet card photograph of a woman who appeared in a circus side show as a “Fat Lady” in the nineteenth century. I haven’t been able to identify her by name. The cabinet measures 6 1/2” by 4 1/4”. Printed on the mount below the image is, “Eisenmann, New York.” Printed on the back is, “Chas. Eisenmann, Photographer, New York” and “Branch Gallery, 18 West 14 Str., N.Y.” There is some minor edge wear and a tiny scratch to the surface of the mount just about the words, “New York” on the front. The scratch is only on the mount, not on the image area. The image has a little bit of fading.

Price: $150.00

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Reference number: 4720.jpg

 

N. L. Stebbins Egyptian Theatre Scene Silver Print Photo

This is a marvelous photo showing a wonderful Egyptian design decorated background in the scene. The photo is a richly toned silver print photograph with superb contrasts. The photo has beautiful & rich tones & a superb range of contrasts which are a pleasing visual tribute to this fine photographer's work. The photo was probably taken sometime around the 1910-1922 era when Egyptian related items were all the rage. There are approximately 48 people in the photo (mostly actors & actresses).

Most are wearing interesting costumes. Apparently they were dressed to perform in either a play or an opera connected with an Egyptian theme. In front of the stage we can see part of the equiptment for the orchestra positioned in front of the stage in the orchestra pit.

The photo has the blindstamp marking of the photographer at the bottom right corner as seen by the viewer. The marking is "N. L. Stebbins Photo. Boston, Mass." The bottom left corner as seen by the viewer has the number "8608". This was probably the Stebbins negative number.

N. L. Stebbins was a noted American commercial photographer who worked in Boston during the years 1884-1922. He was well known for his marine related photos as well as his photos of tall buildings, railroads, theatre scenes, & interiors. Stebbins published a number of large books showing his marine photography. Some of his photos & glass plates negatives survive in the museum collections of the following institutions: "Society For The Preservation Of New England Antiquities", "Mariner's Museum", & the "Peabody Museum" in Salem, Mass. Considerable additional info about this well known photographer is available on a Google search.

The original mat to which the photo is attached measures approximately 18" by 14". The mat is the complete size as issued. The actual silver print photographic image size is 13" by 8 1/8". The piece, in its entirety, with the frame measures 20 1/2" by 16".

We had this photo custom framed in an attractive wooden frame of excellent quality approximately 15 years ago. We have enjoyed looking at it hanging on our wall for a number of years. There is slight dust on the mat & on the inside of the glass. The photo surface has some small thin scratches & some tiny insignificant scuffs.

Price: $350.00

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