[No place - Lewistown, Pennsylvania: circa 1846].
Price: $4,500.00
Hardcover. Quarter plate daguerreotype. Matted with preserver in original embossed leather case with pink plush pad inside the front cover. Image size approximately 3.5" x 4.5". Image is tarnished but otherwise near fine. Hinge of the case has been professionally renewed, and is very good. Major Eisenbise is posed seated, in full uniform with epaulets and holding a sword with an elaborate grip. A note affixed to the plush pad notes in later pencil: "Major Daniel Eisenbise, brother of our [?]. Civil War. [?]." The forbidding Major stares directly into the camera. The epaulets, belt buckle, sword handle, and uniform buttons are all heavily, (almost comically) over tinted with gilt by, one suspects, an enthusiastic, but inexperienced contemporary hand. Our date suggested by the mat, preserver, and case on the dag.
Lewistown, Pennsylvania native Eisenbise, was inspector of the 2d brigade, 14th division, Pennsylvania militia, and organized the volunteer company of Logan Guards in 1858. The company met for parade and drill about once a month, and participated in volunteer encampments at Lewistown in the fall of 1859, and at Huntingdon in 1860. It participated in the ceremonies incident to the inauguration of Governor Curtin in January, 1861, and in the reception of Mr. Lincoln, President elect, on the 22d of February following. At the close of the three months' service it was re-organized entered the service in the 46th regiment, and participated in the campaigns of Banks, M'Clellan, Pope, Burnside, Hooker, and Sherman.
A visually striking officer's portrait, that didn't spare the gilding.
Item #588310
