Original Item: Only One Available. This is an exceptional original American Civil War sixth plate tintype depicting an unidentified bearded Union soldier standing beside an American flag, presented in its original-style decorative “Cupid & Stag” thermoplastic case. Measuring approximately 2 ¾ x 3 ¼ inches, the photograph shows the soldier wearing what appears to be a military frock coat over a Federal issue sack coat, together with a regulation forage cap. Particularly noteworthy is the large American flag positioned beside him, with its individually hand-sewn stars clearly visible in the image. The tintype remains protected behind glass within an ornate brass mat, while the case features an elaborate molded design depicting Cupid grasping a stag by its antlers. The interior retains its purple velvet-style lining, and both halves of the case remain present. Although there is some damage around the hinge, minor looseness, and a nonfunctional latch, the case remains substantially intact. The combination of the standing soldier, patriotic flag, and decorative photographic case makes this a particularly interesting example of Civil War military portraiture.

The image is behind glass held in an ornate brass mat loaded with intricate designs edging the tintype. A leatherette case molded front and back with decorative panel depicting a cupid grabbing a buck by the antlers, often referred to as “Cupid & Stag”, completes the piece. The interior of the case is lined in purple velvet type material. The hinges and locking mechanism are still present and still functional, with some minor looseness. There is some breakage in the case around the hinge, and the latch no longer works, but it is overall very solid and a great overall example. 

This Civil War sixth plate tintype is a particularly interesting example of American military photography because of its combination of a standing Union soldier, visible hand-sewn American flag, and complete decorative Cupid & Stag thermoplastic case. The soldier's frock coat, apparent sack coat, and forage cap provide useful details of Federal military dress, while the flag adds an unmistakable patriotic element to the composition. Although the soldier remains unidentified and the case exhibits damage around its hinge and latch, the surviving photograph and original-style presentation preserve important characteristics of nineteenth-century portrait photography. The image offers a tangible connection to the personal experiences and visual culture of Union soldiers during the American Civil War.

Tintypes
Tintypes, originally known as or ferrotypes or melainotypes, were invented in the 1850s and continued to be produced into the 20th century. The photographic emulsion was applied directly to a thin sheet of iron coated with a dark lacquer or enamel, which produced a unique positive image. Like the ambrotype, tintypes were often hand-colored. Customers purchased cases, frames, or paper envelopes to protect and display their images.

Primarily used for portraiture, each photo is a unique camera-exposed image and was available in the following standard-sizes. The most common size was the sixth plate.

- Imperial or Mammoth Plate - Larger than 6.5 x 8.5 inches
- Whole Plate - 6.5 x 8.5 inches
- Half Plate - 4.25 x 5.5 inches
- Quarter Plate - 3.25 x 4.25 inches
- Sixth Plate - 2.75 x 3.25 inches
- Ninth Plate - 2 x 2.5 inches
- Sixteenth Plate - 1.5 x 1.75 inches