Ambrotype Photograph, John D. McCabe

Ambrotype Photograph, John D. McCabe

Object number2008.267.02

Dateca 1865

Mediumglass, wood, ink, leather

Dimensions3 3/4 x 6 5/16 in. (9.5 x 16 cm)

Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection

Terms

DescriptionAmbrotype of Captain John McCabe. The image is housed in a rectangular brown wooden box with decorative carving on both the front and the back. The front of the case features a child and dog greeting a woman in a sentimental pasture setting. The scene is bordered with decorative beaded molding and floral designs at each of the four corners. The back of the case features architectural molding with an ornate oval design at the center. The front and back of the case are joined by two small metal hinges, opening to reveal an image on the right and a faded red fabric on the right. Adhered on top of the fabric is an irregularly shaped scrap of white paper with a hand-written inscription. The ambrotype is under glass and a gilt frame. In the image is a young confederate officer, seated with his military coat unbuttoned. The buttons of his coat are hand-painted yellow.
McCabe was born in 1822 in Virginia. He moved to Clark Co., Arkansas in 1860. He was a Yale graduate who would go on to become a Confederate colonel. When the war broke out, he joined Co. F of the 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles. He fought at Wilson's Creek and Pea Ridge and went on to fight in the Trans-Mississippi with the Army of the Tennessee.

The image appears to be on glass, suggesting it is an ambrotype, but this could be a misidentification.

The ambrotype is a type of photograph that uses a glass negative with a black background making the image appear positive. Popular during the 1850's and 1860's. Patented by James Ambrose Cutting.

Biography of John McCabe can be found in the notes field.

Status

Not on view

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