Description
Very rare quarter plate melainotype of an unidentified member of the Putnam Phalanx of Connecticut. Organized in 1858, the two-company battalion was named after the hero of Bunker hill, Major General Israel Putnam. The uniform was based off of the exact uniform worn by General George Washington at the time he resigned his command and were constructed in exacting, minuet detail based on that uniform. The organization was a social-patriotic-military organization, although it had the outward appearance of a military unit, such as the wearing of military uniforms, use of military language and address, drilling and marching; it never fought as a unit of the armed forces, and had no battle history as a unit. Primarily made up of very well to do individuals, members consisted of political figures, generals and wealthy members of society. This quarter plate shows this member dressed in the distinguished uniform which included black trousers and a large black cocked hat with feathered plume. This was a very small unit, so images rarely surface. Housed in a full leatherette case.
