Details
Creator Cheston, Gallo W., approximately 1846-1882, photographer.
Title [Unidentified African American man in militia uniform] [graphic] / Cheston's 227 Lombard St., between 2d and 3d, Philadelphia.
Publisher Philadelphia
Publisher PA. Philadelphia. 1870
Date [ca. 1870]
Physical Description 1 photograph: albumen mounted on cardboard; mount 26 x 21 cm (10.25 x 8.25 in.)
Description Full-length portrait photograph by African American photographer Gallo W. Cheston depicting an African American man in a light-colored militia uniform. The man stands, turned slightly toward the right. He holds a long rifle in front of himself with his gloved hands. His left foot is slightly in front of his right. His uniform includes a Shako cap; jacket with epaulettes, buttons, and service stripes; shoulder strap marked "4"; belt; and pants with a dark vertical stripe down the leg. The tip of a rifle and holster is seen below his back. Portrait also includes, to the man's left, a pulled-back drape propped up on a pedestal. Following the Civil War and during Reconstruction (1865-1877), several African American militia units formed, particularly in the South.
Notes Title supplied by cataloger.
Name of photographer from photographer's label pasted on verso: Cheston's 227 Lombard St., between 2d and 3d, Philadelphia. All the various styles of pictures known to the art, made in a manner as near perfection as possible; and all Improvements or additions introduced as soon as made and perfected. Your patronage is solicited. N. B. Old pictures copied to any size, in an artistic manner.
Date inferred from tenancy of the photographer at the address listed on his label pasted on verso.
Photograph mounted on board, rounded at the corners, and with a printed oval-shaped, frame-like border surrounding the image. Border adorned with ornaments and filigree.
Photograph altered with ink and watercolor details highlighting parts of the sitter's uniform, including his cap, epaulettes, service stripes, shoulder strap, belt, and buttons, as well as his eyes, eyebrows, and sideburns. The pull of a drape included in the studio setting is also hand colored.
Purchased in part with the Davida T. Deutsch African American History Fund.
Description reviewed 2022.
Access points revised 2022.
Biographical / historical note Gallo W. Cheston (ca. 1846-1882) served as a private of the Pennsylvania National Guard 1871-1873.
Subject African American photographers. -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
African Americans -- Clothing & dress.
African American men -- Clothing & dress.
African Americans -- Organizations.
Militias.
Geographic subject Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)
Genre Portrait photographs -- 1860-1870.
Albumen prints -- 1860-1870.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| portrait photographs - photographer - Cheston [P.2018.3]
Accession number P.2018.3