TIPTON PHOTO – 6th PA CAVALRY VETERANS IN DEVIL’S DEN WITH PARTIAL ID

$75.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2024-6778

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

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.

The 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry was famously known as “Rush’s Lancers” due to their outdated armament, long spears with a thrusting point – unique among Federal troopers in the Civil War and specifically chosen by General McClellan to emulate European lancer units. By 1863, they had traded in their shock weapons for carbines and were able to wage war from acceptable distances. This photo features five men of the 6th, posing among the rocks of Devil’s Den. Several are wearing veteran’s ribbons on their lapels, while the third from the left is identified by an old handwritten note as Fernton G. Fretz (“Grandfather Fretz Third from left in middle”).  According to records, he enlisted on 8/29/1861 and was mustered into the 6th. He was transferred into Company K of the 2nd Pennsylvania Cavalry (Provost Guard) and discharged the same day of his transfer.  The photo features a catalogue notation (1254-D At Devil’s Den), a characteristic of many of Tipton’s negatives. The mounting card shows some outer layer loss along the left and top borders of the photo (likely from being mounted at one time in an album or frame, but the photo is in excellent condition with only a miniscule crease at the lower left corner. Overall measurements are 10” x 8.5” while the accompanying penciled note measures 5.6” x 6.6”. The reverse features a rare printed Tipton logo and commercial notation reading “W. H. TIPTON The Battlefield Photographer, RESPECTFULLY INFORMS HIS PATRONS THAT ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THIS PICTURE WILL BE FURNISHED AT 50c EACH, AND 6c. EXTRA FOR POSTAGE WHEN SENT BY MAIL. PERSONS ORDERING DUPLICATE COPIES WILL PLEASE GIVE THE NUMBER OF THE NEGATIVE, (WHICH WILL BE FOUND ON PICTURE), AND STATE IF IT IS GROUP, LANDSCAPE OR PHTOGRAPH OF MONUMENT THAT IS DESIRED AS NUMBERS ARE DUPLICATED IN THE DIFFERENT SERIES. IN THE CASE OF GROUPS, ALSO STATE WHERE IT WAS TAKEN, AND GIVE DATE WHEN TAKEN IF YOU CAN. PLEASE NOTE THAT EXCLUSIVE GROUPS, I HAVE OVER 12,000 PLATES OF GETTYSBURG BATTLEFIELD AND ITS MONUMENTS IN ALL SIZES FROM WHICH I CAN FURNISH PHOTOGRAPHS OR LANTERN SLIDES. CATALOGUES ON APPLICATION. HEADQUARTERS FOR SOUVENIR ALBUMS, GUIDE BOOKS, ETC., ETC. Address, W. H. Tipton, Lock Box 35, GETTYSBURG, PA.”

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]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!

Inquire »

Inquire About TIPTON PHOTO – 6th PA CAVALRY VETERANS IN DEVIL’S DEN WITH PARTIAL ID

For inquiries, please email us at [email protected]

featured item

CONFEDERATE INFANTRY CAPTAIN’S JACKET OF CAPT. HENRY DAVENPORT, 2ND VIRGINIA, STONEWALL BRIGADE; LIKELY WORN TO HANG JOHN BROWN AND FAMOUS CHARGE AT 1ST MANASSAS

This historic Virginia officer’s frock coat, trousers and cap belonged to Lt. Henry Bedinger Davenport of Charlestown, Virginia (1831-1901,) follows the state’s 1858 regulations, and has a tight provenance, having been sold out of the family by a… (846-548). Learn More »

Upcoming Events

25
Mar

MARCH 29-30: ANTIQUE, MODERN & MILITARY GUN SHOW - REDDING'S AUCTION HALL, GETTYSBURG Learn More »

Instagram