Description
This sixth plate tintype is a full standing view of a Union soldier wearing a frock coat and cradling what looks like an Enfield rifle. His eagle plate, US belt plate and buttons are gilded. The most important feature of the image is the Benton Barracks painted canvas backdrop used by photographer Enoch Long. Long moved from his Saint Louis gallery to Benton Barracks in 1861. He used several canvas backdrops, this one being employed less commonly than the one with the tent and map. The backdrop depicts a cannon and nicely colored United States flag, as well as canteen, knapsack and distant gunboat. The image is in excellent condition and is very clear. There are two small bends at two opposite corners, likely where the image was held. They are not visible with the mat over the image. There are two 5 cent cancelled stamps in the case, which is a decent leatherette case with separated spine. The case is the one with the embossed United States flag in gold. This image is a fine example of a less common Benton Barracks backdrop.
