Bidspirit auction | Ninth-Plate Tintype of a Civil

Ninth-Plate Tintype of a Civil War Soldier w/ Sabre Holmes Booth & Haydens - A ninth-plate tintype portrait of a bearded American Civil War-era soldier. The subject is depicted half-length, wearing a dark kepi and a military uniform jacket. He wears a cross-belt featuring a circular eagle breastplate and poses with a drawn sabre held diagonally across his chest. Notable hand-applied gold-colored pigment highlights the buttons, breastplate, and the hilt and blade of the sabre. The image is mounted within an ornate, embossed brass mat and matching preserver featuring clipped corners and floral motifs. Stamped along the top edge of the brass mat is the manufacturer identification HOLMES BOOTH & HAYDENS SUPERIOR. The reverse of the iron plate is exposed, showing heavy oxidation. The original leather or wooden case is absent. 2.5 inches x 2 inches. The tintype emulsion shows scattered peppering and minor surface scratches, notably near the bottom edge and across the subject's chest. The soldier's facial features remain clear. The brass mat and preserver exhibit moderate tarnishing and surface wear consistent with age. The reverse of the plate has heavy oxidation and surface residue. The protective leather or wood case is missing.