Fabled Confederate ranger (1833–1916) whose guerrilla band specialized in attacking and disrupting Union supply lines. He earned the nickname ‘The Gray Ghost’ for his clandestine and highly effective attack tactics. Extraordinarily scarce vintage 2.5 x 3.75 head-and-shoulders photo, affixed to its original 5.75 x 7.75 mount, signed in black ink on the mount, “Your affectionate cousin, Jno. S. Mosby.” Dated “1852” in the lower left, likely also in Mosby’s hand. In good to very good condition, with missing lower corners of mount, scattered spotting and soiling to image, heavier along bottom, scattered surface marks, dings, and discoloration to mount, and dampstaining along bottom of mount affecting first name of signature.
When this photograph was taken in 1852, Mosby was enrolled at the University of Virginia where he shot George Turpin, a medical student, after being provoked during an argument. He was expelled and spent several months in the Albemarle County jail. An exceedingly rare cabinet photograph capturing young Mosby when the qualities that would make him a legendary cavalry commander during the Civil War were being shaped.
RR Auction COA.
