Description
This sixth plate ruby ambrotype certainly has an Edmund Ruffin look to it. The gentleman is too old to serve in the army, but he shows his support for the Southern cause with his stern demeanor and prominent display of a D-guard bowie knife. Without words he is saying do not mess with the South. The man is nicely dressed in civilian clothing, but the knife is certainly like many the Confederate soldier took to war. It has the appearance of a factory-made knife, with clip point and ferrule on the grip. The quillon has a nice curl on the end. If you like images with large knives, you should consider this one. It provides a look at Southern sentiment in the early days of secession. If the man were in uniform the price would be thousands more. It is housed in a leatherette case with repaired spine. A corner of the glass is missing under the mat, but it is not visible and does not affect the image.
