Previously Unknown Quarter Plate Tintypes of CSA
Previously Unknown Quarter Plate Tintypes of CSA President Jefferson Davis and First Lady Varina Davis
Two quarter plate tintypes housed together in a geometric union case, the first being a profile portrait of CSA First Lady Varina Howell Davis wearing a lace collar, large earrings, and braided hair wrapped into a chignon; the second being a portrait of CSA President Jefferson Davis wearing a dinner jacket and tie, and looking directly into the camera. Both subjects wear somewhat severe expressions, but the future president's countenance is notably grim, with furrowed brows and deep lines visible throughout his face.
Based upon the other known photographs of of Jefferson Davis, and his physical characteristics in the photograph featured here, it is reasonably conclusive that these images were taken in late 1860 or early January 1861, on the eve of the couple's reluctant leave of Washington, DC for the south. The Davis's home state of Mississippi voted to dissolve ties with the Union in early January of 1861, basically nullifying Jefferson's position in DC as that state's representative. On January 21st, Jefferson bade farewell to the Senate, giving a speech in which he made clear his position on state sovereignty and apologized for any ill will he caused his colleagues during prior heated debates. The stage was set for an exit, for which neither Jefferson nor Varina seemed quite ready. Having lived in the capital while Jefferson served the United States government in both legislative and executive capacities, the couple had become comfortable in the city despite their rural southern upbringings. Varina had many dear friends and a flourishing social life in Washington, and would later remember her time there as the happiest period in her life. Jefferson, too, had made close friends over the course of his career in Washington, including former President Franklin Pierce. Heavier than the dissatisfaction of having to leave a beloved home and social circle, however, was the tremendous weight of secession and inevitable war. Perhaps heavier still was the knowledge that Jefferson could be chosen to lead the new Confederacy in its unprecedented rebellion.
The Davises likely visited the Pennsylvania Avenue studio of Jesse H. Whitehurst (to whom the portraits are attributed) to have their likenesses produced together, as similarities in the mats, preservers, and plate backs suggest they were made at the same time. Though it is unclear exactly why the couple had their portraits made, we know that the images traveled south, and eventually to the executive mansion in Richmond, with them. In April of 1865, upon the demise of Lee's army at Petersburg and Davis's hasty evacuation of the capital city, the images, along with furniture, clothing, books, and other items, were left behind. As part of the federal occupation of Richmond under General Ord, Captain Thomas Welles (the son of Union Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles) took the images and two chairs as souvenirs for his father. The images remained in the Welles family for over a hundred years, until they were sold to the consignor through an agent in the 1980s.
The portrait of Jefferson Davis featured here is one of the most important photographic images of Davis, taken during the great crisis of his life. There are only three other known hard images taken of him in public holdings, including one curated by the Chicago Historical Society and two by the National Portrait Gallery. These previously unknown tintypes of Jefferson and Varina Howell Davis were only recently published in the Spring 2016 issue of Military Images Magazine, in an article written by the consignor, retired journalist and historian John O'Brien of Charles Town, West Virginia. The appearance of these images at auction provides a remarkable opportunity to own a unique piece of United States history, significant not only as a rare likeness of a temporary enemy of the nation, but also as an artifact that sheds new light onto one of the nation's most critical hours.
O'Brien, John. "On the Eve of War: Previously unpublished portraits capture future Confederate Commander-In-Chief Jefferson Davis and first lady Varina Howell Davis." Military Images Magazine, Spring 2016.
Condition Report: Images somewhat dark, with light surface wear. Case front cover with loss to upper right and lower left corners.
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Previously Unknown Quarter Plate Tintypes of CSA President Jefferson Davis and First Lady Varina Davis
Two quarter plate tintypes housed together in a geometric union case, the first being a profile portrait of CSA First Lady Varina Howell Davis wearing a lace collar, large earrings, and braided hair wrapped into a chignon; the second being a portrait of CSA President Jefferson Davis wearing a dinner jacket and tie, and looking directly into the camera. Both subjects wear somewhat severe expressions, but the future president's countenance is notably grim, with furrowed brows and deep lines visible throughout his face.
Based upon the other known photographs of of Jefferson Davis, and his physical characteristics in the photograph featured here, it is reasonably conclusive that these images were taken in late 1860 or early January 1861, on the eve of the couple's reluctant leave of Washington, DC for the south. The Davis's home state of Mississippi voted to dissolve ties with the Union in early January of 1861, basically nullifying Jefferson's position in DC as that state's representative. On January 21st, Jefferson bade farewell to the Senate, giving a speech in which he made clear his position on state sovereignty and apologized for any ill will he caused his colleagues during prior heated debates. The stage was set for an exit, for which neither Jefferson nor Varina seemed quite ready. Having lived in the capital while Jefferson served the United States government in both legislative and executive capacities, the couple had become comfortable in the city despite their rural southern upbringings. Varina had many dear friends and a flourishing social life in Washington, and would later remember her time there as the happiest period in her life. Jefferson, too, had made close friends over the course of his career in Washington, including former President Franklin Pierce. Heavier than the dissatisfaction of having to leave a beloved home and social circle, however, was the tremendous weight of secession and inevitable war. Perhaps heavier still was the knowledge that Jefferson could be chosen to lead the new Confederacy in its unprecedented rebellion.
The Davises likely visited the Pennsylvania Avenue studio of Jesse H. Whitehurst (to whom the portraits are attributed) to have their likenesses produced together, as similarities in the mats, preservers, and plate backs suggest they were made at the same time. Though it is unclear exactly why the couple had their portraits made, we know that the images traveled south, and eventually to the executive mansion in Richmond, with them. In April of 1865, upon the demise of Lee's army at Petersburg and Davis's hasty evacuation of the capital city, the images, along with furniture, clothing, books, and other items, were left behind. As part of the federal occupation of Richmond under General Ord, Captain Thomas Welles (the son of Union Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles) took the images and two chairs as souvenirs for his father. The images remained in the Welles family for over a hundred years, until they were sold to the consignor through an agent in the 1980s.
The portrait of Jefferson Davis featured here is one of the most important photographic images of Davis, taken during the great crisis of his life. There are only three other known hard images taken of him in public holdings, including one curated by the Chicago Historical Society and two by the National Portrait Gallery. These previously unknown tintypes of Jefferson and Varina Howell Davis were only recently published in the Spring 2016 issue of Military Images Magazine, in an article written by the consignor, retired journalist and historian John O'Brien of Charles Town, West Virginia. The appearance of these images at auction provides a remarkable opportunity to own a unique piece of United States history, significant not only as a rare likeness of a temporary enemy of the nation, but also as an artifact that sheds new light onto one of the nation's most critical hours.
O'Brien, John. "On the Eve of War: Previously unpublished portraits capture future Confederate Commander-In-Chief Jefferson Davis and first lady Varina Howell Davis." Military Images Magazine, Spring 2016.
Condition Report: Images somewhat dark, with light surface wear. Case front cover with loss to upper right and lower left corners.
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