[CIVIL WAR]. CDV of an African American sergeant and private posed with white soldiers in a studio. Philadelphia, PA: O.H. Willard, ca 1864-1865.

2 1/4 x 3 5/8 in. CDV on cardstock mount (soiling, discoloration, upper corners clipped; wear to mount edges and corners). Photographer's imprint on verso along with revenue stamp cancelled 3 February 1865.

Two African American soldiers stand at center, the one on the viewer's left being a sergeant, armed with an 1840 NCO sword and a Sprinfield rifle musket, wearing a rectangular belt plate and having three chevrons on his sleeve. He also wears a tarred cover on his kepi and an NCO baldrick on his sword. The African American private standing next to him wears an infantry bugle and brass insignia on top of his kepi, and holds his Springfield to one side. The white soldier on the viewer's extreme right is also a private, and also armed with a Springfield. The white soldier to the viewer's extreme left wears a great coat and a slouch hat, and holds what appears to be an 1850 foot officer's sword, indicating he is likely a junior officer.

A powerful portrait, showing an African American non-commissioned officer posing in a group with a white soldier of a lesser rank.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.