William Henry Tipton (1850–1929) was born in Gettysburg, and began apprenticing to photographer brothers Isaac and Charles Tyson at the age of twelve. Although the Tysons closed shop during the Battle of Gettysburg, “According to Tipton’s obituary, Tipton assisted Mathew Brady, the famous Civil War Photographer, in photographing scenes of the battlefield in the days following” (“William Tipton”). In 1866 Tipton and a partner, Robert Myers, purchased the Tyson studio, and in 1880 Tipton went into business on his own, as the W. H. Tipton Company. He photographed views of the battlefield, war monuments, and the surrounding town, and made portraits of tourists and veterans. He also served on the Gettysburg town council and was active in the Republican Party, serving a term as a state representative. He championed several controversial efforts to promote Gettysburg tourism and commercialize memorialization of the battlefield.

Featured in this photo is the monument to General Humphries, which sits just east of the Emmitsburg Road near the Klingel Farm. An iron and steel boundary fence backs up to the monument and the center of the Union line is visible in the distance, with several well-known monuments and positions easily seen.  A small credit signature reading “Tipton Photo” was written in white on the negative and is clear at lower left.  Written in pencil on the back long ago at upper left is “Brig Gen AA Humphrays” – an oversight of spelling. The photo measures 8” x 10’ and shows only minor corner damaged that does not detract from the overall display and appearance of the piece.

Tipton’s photographic collection – including early prints such as this – helped to shape popular memory of the battle and are an important but rare record of the Gettysburg battlefield’s evolving place in history.  This print is part of a singular private collection and archive acquired by the Horse Soldier and would make quite the unique and important addition to any Civil War or Gettysburg-centric collection.    [cm][ph:L]

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