Extremely rare 2.25 x 4 carte-de-visite photo of Rutherford B. Hayes in uniform during the Civil War, nicely signed in ink, "R. B. Hayes, Brig. Gen'l." Reverse bears an affixed two-cent revenue stamp and backmark reading, "Photographed by Ewing & Co., Cumberland, MD." In very good to fine condition, with light overall soiling. The stamp allows us to date the CDV to circa 1864-1866, when the 'Sun Picture Tax' was in effect—passed by Congress as a means to finance the ongoing war between the states. At the outset of the Civil War, Hayes enlisted in the Union Army as an officer. Frequently seeing combat, Hayes was wounded five times, most seriously at the Battle of South Mountain in 1862. He earned a reputation for bravery in combat and was promoted to the rank of brevet major general. A hugely desirable, Civil War-era signed portrait of the future commander-in-chief.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$75.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
