Album with 25 double-sided window mats, containing 41 (of a possible 50) original cartes-de-visite, all but a few of U.S. naval officers, most identified, also a cdv of the ironclad U.S.S. Tennessee (formerly C.S.S. Tennessee), and a façade identified as the Louvre. 6x4½, embossed leather with metal clasps, all edges gilt.
Important Civil War album containing a rare assemblage of original carte-de-visite photographs of U.S. naval officers, along with one of the ironclad ram U.S.S. Tennessee, formerly the C.S.S. Tennessee, captured by Union forces at the famed Battle of Mobile Bay. Pierre Giraud, owner of the album (with an inscription to him on the front flyleaf), was a Volunteer Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during the Civil War, serving with distinction aboard the monitor U.S.S. Mauntock, firing the rounds that doomed the notorious Confederate Privateer Rattlesnake (formerly the C.S.S. Nashville). He later commanded the steamer U.S.S. Tennessee (captured from the Confederates when U.S. forces took New Orleans), and was on board the U.S.S. Ossipee when it rammed the ironclad C.S.S. Tennessee at the Battle of Mobile Bay, and was dispatched to accept the surrender of the ironclad when she ran up a white flag after her guns had jammed and her rudder was blown away. He was given temporary command of the vessel before returning to his previous post, now renamed U.S.S. Mobile. Besides the rare photograph of the captured vessel, the album contains portraits of many naval officers, some notable, others more obscure, including a Lt. Gerage; Rear Admiral Bailey; Captain E.R. Clarke; Lt. Commander Rogers; Commodore Winslow; Captain C.P. Rodgers, and others. Some are signed, and most are identified in pencil on the mats. A complete listing of the cdv’s is available on request. Also present is an appointment as Master’s Mate for Henry E. Giraud, signed by Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles, which was forwarded to Pierre Giraud. There is also a large amount of historical research accompanying the album, including print-outs of ship histories; biographies of officers; naval orders gleaned from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies, and much more.
Condition:
Album somewhat worn, page block neatly split, spine strip torn and loose; some cdv’s with minor fading or wear, most very good to fine condition.