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Civil War Pictures: The New Generation of Civil War Research
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Research Arsenal’s Powerful Civil War Photographs Research Database
There is something captivating and raw about looking at original Civil War Photos. From the facial expressions, the obvious accelerated aging of so many young men, and the clothing they chose to wear for the photo; there is a lot of information and research that can be extracted out of a single photo that is more than 160 years old (or more). Civil War photography has captivated the casual researcher and the professional collector alike. What is it about images from the American Civil War that grabs our attention? What is it that compels us to zoom into the details and find whatever we can about the subject or subjects in the image? I believe it is our desire to humanize those who we tend to glorify and put on pedestals as well as our desire to create a connection with whoever is in the image.
The Trade of Civil War Photography: Rare Civil War Photos & Prints
As an avid researcher and admirer of Civil War photography, I became obsessed with the Library of Congress'[i] collection of original civil war photographs. When I started looking at their collection there was just under 10,000 images uploaded into their digital database. Now, there are more than 16,000 original civil war photos or related prints. It became increasingly clear that we are living in a unique period of time where archives around the country are realizing the value and need to digitize their collections and place them in databases accessible to the public. Thousands of images and documents are being scanned, tagged, and cataloged at amazing rates. The internet age and the advent of social media then forced another major change in the Civil War photo collecting community; that of online communities. It was in these communities that like minded individuals who collect, sell and trade period photos were able to connect on a level that had not previously been possible. People could easily accelerate their search for specific images that they had been looking for for years. Images that had never seen the light of day (virtually) were soon seen shared in these communities. Extremely rare and unique photographs started to pop up for all to admire, and this is the point which I believe created and solidified our next generation of collectors.
Individuals like myself, who belong to the hated millennial generation have taken up a large portion of those who search for and are purchasing and collecting these amazing windows into history. Having grown up with one foot in the pre-internet age and the other in the virtual world, we have realized the incredible value of digitizing as many original documents and photos as possible in order to facilitate better research and make discoveries and rewriting false history simply because we have been able to harness technology to progress our research beyond what many have ever dreamed possible.
For example, the amazing work done by the Civil War Photo Sleuth[i] is using facial recognition technology to identify previously unknown soldiers. Additionally, Civil War databases like the Research Arsenal are focusing on the material culture of the photos and tagging every item in the photo making it easier than ever to search thousands of photos for a specific item; such as a Philadelphia depot canteen, cavalry uniform jackets, or obscure aspects like how often soldiers tucked their coats into their pants. What used to take researchers or collectors hundreds of hours to search for now can take seconds.
Because of this explosion in access, research, and the ability to find the exact images that you want, the civil war photo collectors market is alive and well. This can be no better demonstrated than with the rise of online auctions dedicated to civil war militaria. A great example of this is the past few auctions that Fleischer’s Auctions has hosted. With the recent August 5th, 2023 auction, an image sold for a hammer price of $49,000 (nearly $60,000 with the buyer’s premium), it is perhaps the most expensive Civil War era photograph ever sold of an unidentified subject.
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What Types of Civil War Photos are Rare or Popular?
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What Types of Civil War Photos are Rare or Popular?
As mentioned above, a nude photograph sold for nearly $60,000. Why is this? According to the owner and operator of Fleischer’s Auctions[i], Adam Fleischer, he stated the following:
“Nudity in Civil War photography is virtually unheard of outside of a very occasional academic example produced in hospitals for medical study during the later stages of the War…This particular subject does not appear to be hurt, making the purpose of this full-length nude tintype photograph entirely speculative. The muscular subject stands in the dirt with his arms folded across his chest, naked from head to toe. A crudely painted camp scene backdrop hangs behind him, strongly indicating that a photographer in the field made this image c. 1863. We are aware of no other examples. Given the sensibilities of the era this plate raises provocative questions. Was he nursing some unseen injury? Was he simply showing off?”
So, what makes a photo rare or valuable? Ignoring the obvious example above, why are other images that are seemingly “normal” going for big money? There are many reasons, but I’ll focus on three of the most common reasons that I have found after obsessing over Civil War photos for more than 10 years.
So what three things have I found that make original Civil War pictures valuable? Here they are:
- Civil War Battlefield Photos or photos at well known locations
- Civil War Death Photos & Postmortem photos
- Civil War Weapon & Equipment photos
- Identified Photos
Civil War Battlefield Photos & “in-the-field” Photos
In many ways, the American Civil War was the first war to bring the carnage of the battlefield into the homes and peaceful cities that were far from the battlefield. This was done through the photographs that were taken just hours or days after a battle. Today we recognize the famous images of the confederate dead at Gettysburg, bloody lane at Antietam, and Fredericksburg. These images tell a story that letters and battlefield reports cannot. Additionally, other photos of soldiers in formations, in camp, or other similar “in-the-field” images can show so much for those interested in understanding the full story of the war.
From a researchers perspective, I have come to love the images of soldiers in the field and not in a studio. After zooming in on these amazingly detailed images, you can see what types of canteens they were issued, what kind of trousers they wore, how they set up their camps, and so much more.
Other historians love to find the exact spot where the photo was taken and crop together a before and after comparison.
These images of soldiers actually living on campaign in the field have significantly increased value because so much information can be extracted for the researcher who wants to spend the time looking at every item in the photo. They simply give a level of detail and paint a clearer picture of the past that written documents just cannot.
Civil War Death & Postmortem Photos
In many ways, the American Civil War was the first war to bring the carnage of the battlefield into the homes and peaceful cities that were far from the battlefield. This was done through the photographs that were taken just hours or days after a battle. Today we recognize the famous images of the confederate dead at Gettysburg, bloody lane at Antietam, and Fredericksburg. These images tell a story that letters and battlefield reports cannot. Additionally, other photos of soldiers in formations, in camp, or other similar “in-the-field” images can show so much for those interested in understanding the full story of the war.
From a researchers perspective, I have come to love the images of soldiers in the field and not in a studio. After zooming in on these amazingly detailed images, you can see what types of canteens they were issued, what kind of trousers they wore, how they set up their camps, and so much more.
Photos with Civil War Weapons & Equipment
Original Civil War photographs depicting soldiers with their full gear and equipment, including knapsacks, canteens, haversacks, and weapons, are exceptionally rare and highly coveted among collectors and historians. These images offer a detailed glimpse into the daily lives of soldiers during one of the most pivotal periods in American history. The rarity of such photographs can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the cumbersome nature of the equipment made it challenging to capture soldiers in natural and unposed settings, especially considering the relatively slow exposure times of early cameras. Additionally, the harsh conditions of the battlefield often resulted in damage or loss of these photographs over time. The scarcity of these authentic, untouched images has created a high demand in auctions and marketplaces. Collectors are willing to pay a premium for these rare glimpses into the past, as they provide valuable insights into the lived experiences of Civil War soldiers. Each photograph becomes a tangible link to the sacrifices and challenges faced by those who fought, making them not only artifacts of immense historical significance but also cherished pieces of tangible history in the eyes of enthusiasts and scholars alike.
Identified Civil War Photos
The value of original Civil War images that are identified, commonly referred to as “ID’d” photographs, is exceptionally high within the collector’s market. Each ID’d image represents a historical puzzle waiting to be solved, and many collectors revel in the challenge of identifying these individuals. The process often involves meticulous research and attention to detail. Collectors frequently resort to delicate techniques like pulling photographs out of frames to inspect the back for handwritten inscriptions, or examining uniform types, studio settings, backdrops, and regimental insignia. When an unidentified photo is successfully linked to a specific individual, it transforms from a mere historical artifact into a tangible connection to a person who lived during that pivotal era. This newfound personal connection significantly enhances the photograph’s historical value, making it a unique and valuable piece of Civil War history. Collectors, historians, and museums alike are willing to pay a premium for these ID’d photographs, recognizing them not just as images frozen in time, but as windows into the lives and stories of the people who shaped the course of American history.
Other Rare War Photos
We only discussed a few of my favorite reasons war photos become valuable or highly sought after. It must note, however, that there are many more reasons. For instance, any confederate image or pictures of confederate soldiers are very valuable from a collectors and research point of view. While the union had Matthew Brady and many other photographers, the Confederate States were not as lucky to have multiple options to get their photographs struck.
Additionally, any image from the National Archives collection, images with color (hand tinting), or images tied to a local community tend to be popular.
The Power of Civil War Database Research
After everything mentioned above, it becomes clear why it is incredibly important and valuable to put as many photos into searchable databases as possible.
This is why myself and our team at the Research Arsenal decided to develop one of the fastest growing Civil War research sites on the internet. When it comes to searching original photos from the Civil War, a researcher can easily filter between images in the field vs stuio portraits and then search keywords found in photos that they are looking for like a specific canteen, weapon, or location. We no longer have to keep unorganized digital folders on our desktop with random titles of “Cavalry Soldiers with Infantry uniforms” or “Soldiers who tuck their trousers into their socks”.
One can simply keyword search and filter down to the images to reveal exactly what you are looking for in seconds.
I firmly believe we’re in the midst of a digital Civil War research explosion that’s just beginning. The vast array of historical documents is rapidly becoming digitized, allowing for extensive keyword searches, filters, and interconnected links spanning various related topics. This digital revolution is reshaping how we explore history, providing unprecedented access to information. Institutions and researchers are spearheading this transformation, making countless primary sources accessible to scholars and enthusiasts worldwide. With each passing day, the digital frontier expands, unveiling new layers of the past and revolutionizing our understanding of the American Civil War. The Research Arsenal is one of the leaders at the forefront of this movement, paving the way for a future where the wealth of historical knowledge is at our fingertips, transforming the way we learn about and interpret this crucial period in history.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Asking what the most famous civil war pictures are will change depending on your audience. For the general public, famous images like General McClellan standing with President Abraham Lincoln comes to mind. For collectors, it may be the recent image that sold for a ridiculous amount of money, like the nude photo previously mentioned above. For reenactors, field images like the trenches of Petersburg or the camps of soldiers at Brandy Station.
For viewing or researching original Civil War photos the following locations are great resources:
The Research Arsenal offers more than 10,000 images that have been tagged and are keyword searchable.
The Library of Congress (LOC)[i] is probably the most popular and well known collection of Civil War photos boasting a collection of more than 16,000. This is also related to the United States National Archives resources of war photos.
Civil War Photo Sleuth[i] is a great tool for identifying unknown images or finding an image from your family or your favorite regiment.
For buying Civil War pictures or photographs, there are a lot of antique dealers who focus on Civil War memorabilia and popular Auction Houses who do the same. Some of my favorite are:
- Fleischer’s Auctions
- The Horse Soldier
- Hindman’s Auctions/Cowans
- Auctions
- Union Drummer Boy
In the United States, many Civil War photographs are in the public domain, which means they are no longer under copyright and can be freely used for educational purposes & academic resources. This includes photographs taken by government employees as part of their official duties, which many Civil War photographs fall under. Images taken before 1923 are also generally in the public domain due to copyright expiration.
However, it’s essential to note that not all Civil War photographs are in the public domain. Some photographs might be owned by private individuals or organizations, and they could still be under copyright protection. Additionally, modern reproductions or digitizations of public domain images might be copyrighted, even though the original image is not.
When using Civil War photographs for educational purposes, it’s a good practice to ensure that the images you are using are in the public domain or are licensed for educational use. Many reputable sources, such as government archives and libraries, provide high-quality public domain images that can be used freely for educational purposes. Always check the specific terms of use associated with the images you intend to use to avoid copyright issues.