Sixth plate tintype. Half leatherette case. Anonymous artist.

Confederate musician images rarely surface; this example featuring a fifer and drummer is among the known. The two men shown here are clad in gray jackets reminiscent of the ‘Type II’ Richmond Depot variety. The drummer on the right has three brass letters on his cap, most likely the initials of his regimental company. He holds his drumsticks to the top head of his while his comrade raises his fife, pretending to play.

Whether played for signaling or simply for entertainment, fife and drum music, an American tradition that dates to the days of the Revolution, was popular among troops on both sides of the Civil War. Fifers and drummers are consequently among the most iconic military roles portrayed in early photography.

While the identity of these men is not known at this time, we can be sure their presence was appreciated by the unit they served.



[Daguerreotype, Ambrotype, Tintype, Carte-de-visite, CDV, Albumen, Mexican War, Mexican American War, Civil War, Slavery, Abolitionist, Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Early Photography]

Provenance: Herb Peck assembled one of the first and greatest collections of historic American photography before it was stolen in 1978 from his Nashville home. Once thought lost forever, authorities recently traced an unexpected clue and discovered many of Herb’s images unscathed after nearly 45 years in hiding. These daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and tintypes comprise one of the most important collections of Civil War portrait photography ever curated. Herb Peck was a true pioneer who understood both the historic and artistic merit of portraits showing the common Civil War soldier at a time when they were often overlooked. These photographs are deeply important to our shared American history, and Fleischer's Auctions is proud to make them publicly available on behalf of the Peck family.

As represented. For a full condition report, please email us.