Interesting shade frock coat CDV

[markmason]

I ran across this courtesy of http://www.civilwarmysteries.com/illinois.htm It appears to have a very light shade of blue..?? maybe it's my eyes :p

The owner of this image tells us the revenue stamp dates this image to 1865 and possibly from Ill or MI

[RyanBWeddle]

Re: Interesting shade frock coat CDV

Looks like the entire image is pretty light and washed out. I think that is the culprit.

I like the fat guy at the bottom! I better put on some weight!

[Company Tailor]

Re: Interesting shade frock coat CDV

Two things can make a "dark blue" coat look like this...

1. Intense direct sunlight on the photo subject. I've got some glass plate images of myself that are pretty washed out like that. I'm not an expert on period photography but I've seen it happen.

2. A lighter shade on the coat. Fact of the matter is, "dark blue" uniforms weren't always as dark as we think. If I could figure out how to post a picture on this forum I'd share a few. (...little help!)

Cheers.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Interesting shade frock coat CDV



The photo in question.



If he were an officer, I would say he was VRC, like Lt John Bassler of the 4th VRCR here.

[pfeiffer3964]

Re: Interesting shade frock coat CDV

If I could figure out how to post a picture on this forum I'd share a few. (...little help!)

Patrick:

When you are in the post authoring screen, scroll down past the smiles and "submit reply" buttons. Down there you will find a "mange attachments" button. Click that and a pop-up window will appear that allows you to browse your hard drive for the appropriate photo files. When they are located and appear in the file extension boxes, click "upload." And, if all goes as planned, you're done!

--Jim

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Interesting shade frock coat CDV

Does anybody think that it could be a private purchase non regulation VRC dress coat? It would suprize me alot, because to my knowlege the VRC officers were rather strick, as per Alfred Ballards accounts, with wearing regulation clothing.

[markmason]

Re: Interesting shade frock coat CDV

Rob,

Thanks for posting the picture I was refering too..I'm a bit slow

I just thoouht it interesting and can agre with the "washed out" or bright light"

kind of odd how the podium retained a darker hue. We know the varied shades of blue in fatigue blouses, stands to reason uniform coats could be subjected to the same, though not as common?

[Bushrod Carter]

Re: Interesting shade frock coat CDV

One thing that we also need to consider is the fact that the photographic process during the time doesn't capture colors to shades that we "think" they should or do reflect. As an example - yellow. When compared to blue we think of yellow as a lighter color and should show up as a lighter color in period photos, right? So, what color does yellow photograph in period photos? The color yellow prints as BLACK in period photos!

Want a good example? Everyone grab there EOG-Confederate at turn to page 120. Look at the Mosby double-breasted shell jacket: yellow facings. Now, look at the photo of the Colonel wearing that same jacket on the next page. Hummmmmm. His facings look to be the same color as his boots.

I have another good example...if someone will explain to me how to post photos to these boards.

Patrick Craddock

[John of the Skulkers Mess]

Re: Interesting CDVs

The last no ID'D Illinois Fed on that page (holding musket, seated with gear on and forage cap) looks very familar to an ID'D image of a 32nd Illinois soldier that was published in Military Images in 1990.

Big-banded honkin musket, linen (?) sling to drum canteen, forage cap, cap pouch with rivet (?) and short jacket with epaulettes.

Seen a couple other images of Illinois soldiers (usually 30-something numbered regiments) with that type of sling. Even Gov. Joe Fifer!

Neat!

John Pillers
imaskulker

P.S.
My two cents, the images is just 'washed out' and its a regular dress coat.

[RyanBWeddle]

Re:

It's slight but in the original photo we're talking about their is a shade difference between the frock and the trowsers .... I think he is just wearing a standard uniform and the photo is washed out.

Just for fun, while the VRC topic is being knocked around, check out this close up from: http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cwpb/04100/04194v.jpg

It is the hanging of Henry Wirz in Washington, in November of 1865. There were several photos taken during this event. This particular photo shows clearly VRC troops on the platform as Wirz sentence is being read....

You can see the difference in color, etc....

[markmason]

Re: Interesting shade frock coat CDV

Posting this picture is not a green light to seek out light/sky-blue shades of uniform coats. I do have a hard time agreeing this image is WASHED OUT, The image process does not allow fading over the years. Maybe Wendell Decker or others could enlighten us. (no pun intended) :p

perhaps, when things like this show up, it contradicts our preconception of of the "norm" during the war.

I wonder if this guy would be kicked from our ranks for wearing hat brass ? :D

[Bushrod Carter]

Re: Interesting shade frock coat CDV

A group of Confederate officers at Ft. Gaines...

[Bushrod Carter]

Re: Interesting shade frock coat CDV

And now a color photo of the same group of officers.

Notice any color differences in the shading of the uniform coats: color photo vs. ambrotype?

[coastaltrash]

Re: Interesting shade frock coat CDV

Mr. Craddock,
I believe the AC will only allow the posting of quality living historians,

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Interesting shade frock coat CDV

One more reason to belive that the image is playing tricks with light; is that the dress hat, also looks very light in color. Unless of course the dress hat wasnt black..... :sarcastic