[CIVIL WAR]. ABBOTT, J.H., photographer. CDV of actors at Albany Sanitary Fair. Albany, NY: ca 1864.

2 1/4 x 3 5/8 in. CDV on cardstock mount (rich tonality, possible light trimming to edges). Photographer's imprint on verso. A group of 8 non-Native adults and children posed in Iroquois clothing and with objects of Iroquois design. These individuals were likely the overseers of the "Indian Wigwam" booth at the fair, which was a major hit according to an article in a Fulton County, NY newspaper reporting on the event.

The United States Sanitary Commission, created in June of 1861, was purposed to support US Army soldiers during the Civil War, especially with their growing sanitary needs including medicine and other hospital supplies. From 1863-1865, the primary means of fundraising for the USSC was hosting "sanitary fairs" in northern cities, by which local communities could get involved and contribute to the war effort. These fairs were typically held by women from the upper classes of society, and included a variety of attractions such as booths, expositions, balls, parades, auctions, raffles, and more. All together, these fairs raised a total of 4.5 million dollars for the USSC. Reference: Mercer, Paul. "'With the President's Permission...' How New York Acquired the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation." New York State Library. 2010.