MUMPER CABINET CARD VIEW OF THE 118th PENNSYLVANIA MONUMENT

$125.00

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Item Code: 2024-5069

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This view shows the regimental monument of the 118th Pennsylvania, which in noted on the reverse in period brown ink: “118th P.V. on Big Round Top / #171 (corn exchange)” over the photographer’s backmark: “MUMPER & CO. / PHOTO. / ARTISTS, / 25 Baltimore St. / Gettysburg, Pa.” By the address this card dates 1874 to March 1887, when Mumper moved across the street to #27-29 Baltimore. This fits with the erection of the monument on the northeast slope of Big Round Top (one of its two regimental monuments on the field) and its dedication on Sept. 8, 1884. The view shows the Maltese Cross of the 5th Corps on the front of the monument and the knapsack leaning against cannonballs on its top. It also shows the dedication on the left side: “Erected in their honor by the Commercial Exchange formerly Corn Exchange of Philadelphia, and the surviving members of the Regiment.” The Corn Exchange had also sponsored the regiment during the war. Note that the corps badge is wreathed by cornstalks in honor of that sponsorship and the regiment’s nickname as the “Corn Exchange Regiment.”

Not shown is the right side or rear of the monument. The former details their positions on the field: “Engaged in advance of “Wheat Field” July 2, and held this position July 3, and 4, 1863.” The latter gives their wartime service record: “Mustered into service August 30, 1862 / Mustered out June 1, 1865/ Participated in 34 battles/ Killed in battle 205/ Died of wounds and disease 500/ Missing in action 273/ Original muster 960/ Recruits 456 / Final muster of original members 139.” At Gettysburg they carried 25 officers and 233 men into action, losing 3 killed, 39 wounded, and 3 missing. Their other monument is on Wheatfield Avenue.

Levi Mumper, born in 1843, served in the 127th PA and saw action at Fredericksburg and was discharged in late May 1863. He learned photography from the Tyson brothers after he returned home to Adams County, started his own business in 1864, advertising in January 1865 that he had taken over Samuel Weaver’s old establishment on West Middle Street, and moved to Baltimore Street in mid-1866. He left Gettysburg in 1869, but returned not long after and in early 1874 reoccupied his old studio, moving just across the street in 1887. Frassanito notes his outdoor views likely began in the late 1870s and began to pick up around 1884-85 in response to increasing demand from visitors and that he was stiff competition for Tyson into the early 20th century.

The card shows ink coloring of the monument and foliage, with a little blotting of the color to gray. The coloring seems incomplete, but was likely intended just to add highlights or create the semblance of a painting.  [SR][ph:m]

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