Antebellum Sixth Plate Ambrotype Portrait of a Soldier of the 8th New York State Militia Regiment " Washington Grays " also known as " Washington Rangers " One of New York’s Most Elite Pre Civil War Militia Regiments Which Later Saw Early War Service at the First Battle of Bull Run. Housed in Littlefield Parsons & Co Thermoplastic Gutta Percha Union Case. Captured Circa 1855–1860 Shortly Before the Outbreak of the American Civil War the Soldier Is Depicted in a Sharp Three Quarter Pose Seated upon an Ornate Victorian Chair Wearing the Distinctive Double Breasted Dress Uniform of the Regiment with Prominent Rows of Polished Brass Buttons and Matching Three Button Cuffs. He Wears a High Crown Parade Shako Cap Retaining a Gilt Eight Pointed Star Insignia Representing the Regiment’s Numerical Designation Together with a Matching Brass Waist Belt Plate Bearing the Same Star Insignia. A Non Regulation Crossbelt Extends Across the Chest Typical of Militia Parade Dress. The Portrait Further Depicts a Finely Groomed Chin Curtain Beard with Period Applied Rosy Tinting to the Face. The Image Is Housed in it's Original Scalloped Geometric Brass mat Preserved Behind Glass in Foliate Gilded Brass Etched Frame within a Thermoplastic Gutta Percha Union Case Cast in High Relief Floral Decoration. The Interior Retains Original Manufacturer’s Label for Littlefield Parsons & Co Referencing Their Patented Riveted Hinge System of 1856 and 1857. Case Approx: 3 3/4"L 3 1/4"W The 8th New York State Militia Was Among the Earliest New York Units Federalized Following the Outbreak of the Civil War and Marched South to Defend Washington D.C. in 1861. Renowned for Privately Funded Dress Uniforms Parade Precision and Distinctive Regimental Insignia the Regiment Occupied a Unique Position Within New York’s Antebellum Military and Social Culture. The Exceptional Preservation of the Matching Eight Pointed Star Shako Device and Corresponding Belt Plate Gives the Portrait Strong Historical Importance as a Visual Record of New York’s Pre War Volunteer Militia Tradition. Plate Quality Is Sharp, Case Is Clean Hinge Intact No Major Cracks Or Flaking. We Provide Efficient and Economical In-house Shipping Services US & Worldwide also including White Glove Door-to-Door Delivery Service with Personal Drivers Across the Tri-State Area For Further Details Please Select 'Buyer Arranged Shipping' and Contact our Office in Overall Good Condition Please View all Photographs Closely Out of a New York City Estate Thank you for Bidding with Gold Coast Auctioneers 50 Werman ct Plainview NY 11803 tel. 516-586-3992 We are now accepting Consignments for our future auction Search Words: Museum Museal Collectible America Patriotic Conversation Piece Rare Sought Antique Union Confederate rifle Bayonets Collectibles Civil War Memorabilia Civil War Blades Military Battlefield Presentation Ceremonial Swords Sabers Cavalry Historical Bowie Bayonet United States US Militaria War Memorabilia Relic Relics American Civil War, Antebellum Militia, 8th New York State Militia, Washington Grays, Washington Rangers, New York Militia, Union Militia, Pre Civil War Photography, Sixth Plate Ambrotype, Civil War Ambrotype, Daguerreotype Case, Thermoplastic Union Case, Gutta Percha Case, Littlefield Parsons & Co, Military Portrait, Militia Uniform, Parade Uniform, Bull Run, First Manassas, New York Volunteers, Union Soldier Portrait, Brass Belt Plate, Shako Cap, Military Headgear, 19th Century Photography, Victorian Photography, Armed Forces Memorabilia, New York History, Manhattan Militia, Federalized Militia, Civil War Collectibles, Military Antiques, Patriotic Americana, Historical Photography, Tin Type, Civil War Image, Brass Buttons, Militia Crossbelt, NCO Uniform, Early War Militia, Union Army History, American Military History, Volunteer Regiment, Parade Drill, Fraternal Militia, Elite Militia, Northern States Militia, Military Aristocracy, Antique Photograph, Museum Quality Civil War, Historic New York Regiment Cops Ranger Cop Police Department NYPD Ny