Three tintype images--1/6th, 1/9th, & one plate between 1/4 & 1 /8th size.

The 1/6th plate a duplicate of tintype John W. Blass depicted on page 74 of "America Divided: "Images of America's Warring Sons", a booklet by Matt Bollinger that is included in the grouping. It comes in full leather case, with red interior velvet & brass matte; features frontal standing image of bearded early 30-ish Union soldier in full regalia-kepi, frock coat & trouser, with waist belt & cap box, and cartridge box sling with eagle breast plate & "US" box plate. Exhibits Slight tinting of cheeks & brass accoutrements. Image is sharp w/light interior soiling & flecks of dust. Else VG, w/light case wears at the extremities.

1/9 plate is enclosed in white card wrapper trimmed w/stars. Features left profile of Blass, ca. 1861-62, wearing a civilian jacket over white shirt and vest. Image sharp & w/small darkened blemish on his coat. Else VG, w/ "Joe Blass/ Iowa Artillery" handwritten in ink below image.

1/8th- 1/4th plate, bare and unadorned, with "Joe Blass" written with ink. Frontal standing image of Blass, ca. 1862, posed next to studio chair, clad in brimmed hat, coat, and trousers tucked in knee length boots. Image clear, though slightly dented and wavy about the edges.

John W. "Joe" Blass was a thirty-one year old resident of Butler County, IA, who enlisted as a private and was mustered into Co. "E", 32nd Iowa Infy. He was killed in action on 4/9/ 1864 at Pleasant Hill, LA. during the Louisiana "Red River Campaign."----His regiment, the 32nd Iowa, was organized at Dubuque in October 1862 and was initially attached to the 13th, and then the 16th Corps, with which it served through the remainder of the war. Through 1863 the unit operated was posted near Cape Girardeau, MO, and operated in the vicinity of Vicksburg, MI and Little Rock, AK. The 32nd joined in Gen. Banks "Red River Expedition" [March 10-May 22, 1864], and participated the Battle of Pleasant Hill at which Pvt. Was killed. The unit was later engaged in the Battle of Nashville and the pursuit of Hood, in the 1865 Siege of Spanish Fort, mustering out in Montgomery in August 1865. During service it lost 107 men killed and mortally wounded, and 215 by disease for a total of 322.

Excellent 32nd Iowa tintype grouping. Accompanied by Bollinger photo booklet and military documentation.