I've attached the link to my latest blog, which shows a soldier from the mid 1800's. It's a genuine red coat soldier so I'd be interested to know if anyone has an idea what rank he may have been and what wars he would have been involved in at that time? I know he was born in the 1830's and died in 1880's so I would say the photo was taken around 1850/60. http://www.redrosephotos.co.uk/oldest-photo-restored/
Spot on for date. The tunic is the standard infantry pattern introduced in 1856. Earlier ones were double breasted. It was replaced in 1868 by one with different cuffs. The facing will be white. There were regiments with buff coloured facings but the belt and lining down the front were always white. Your photo is the wrong way round. The tunic buttons on the other side. Unfortunately white facings were worn by many regiments. If you could enhance the buckle or buttons they would help identify the regiment. At this date they should have a regimental number. Mike. PS. He is a private. No rank badges or distinctions.
Many years a go reading a excellent book on a Sergent Pellman by Lord Angelsey ,he states that many studio photographers of this period charged diffrent rates for diffrent ranks ? a Sergent would borrow a privates tunic and have his photograph taken at the cheaper privates rate , then the rank badge would be painted on later ? have never seen this stated else where so may be a myth ?
Hello, Any idea what process was used to create the original? Since the image is reversed it could possibly be a tintype or ambrotype. The time-frame seems to fit when that method was popular. Tintype - Wikipedia Regards ...
I think Cee is right about the tintype. Certainly it is right for the period and right for the person, A private soldier would not have much money to spend on studio photography. I was brought up in a seaside town and have read about the local Victorian photographers. They certainly depended on taking photos of trippers and having them ready to take home that day. Later Kodak introduced a system which allowed not only speed but multiple copies for use as postcards. Then the Polaroid and now taking the photo on your phone and sending it immediately. What people want does not change much. Mike
Mike, I have a small paper print of my parents during WW2 with father in uniform taken by a street photographer. Everyting is reversed so I assume it was a direct positive of some kind that was made quickly on the spot. Not very good quality unfortunately but still a cherished image. Regards ...
