Ambrotype Photograph, Leila Barkman "Caddo" McCabe

Carte-de-vista of Leanah Barkman "Caddo" McCabe

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Ambrotype Photograph, Leila Barkman "Caddo" McCabe

Object number2008.267.03

Dateca 1865

Mediumglass, wood, ink, leather

Dimensions3 3/4 x 3 1/4 in. (9.5 x 8.3 cm)

Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection

Terms

Ambrotype

DescriptionAmbrotype of Leila Barkman "Caddo" McCabe. The image is housed in a rectangular wooden box, painted black and carved debossed decoration on the front and back. The front of the case still maintains most of the black paint, while the back is badly worn, exposing the raw wood. With a small metal hook clasp on one edge, the paper hinge is torn on the opposite edge. The interior of the case features a glass ambrotype on the left and faded red/orange fabric on the right. Adhered to the fabric is an irregularly cut white scrap of paper with a hand-written inscription. Under glass on the left, the image of Caddo McCabe is beneath a gilt metal frame. Caddo is seated, arms folded across lap, in a striped Victorian dress with a lace color. Her cheeks and broach are hand-painted.

Caddo was the wife of John McCabe, Yale graduate and Confederate colonel from Arkansas. The couple were wed on November 28, 1863. They were from Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

After the war and roughly fifteen years into their marriage, John left Caddo for her younger sister. He never formally divorced Caddo. John and the sister left for Arizona where they lived together the rest of their lives. Caddo never remarried and lived with her family the rest of her life.

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.

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Not on view

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