1860s CIVIL WAR UNION NAVY ENGINEER JOHN ERICSSON CDV PHOTO DESIGNED USS MONITOR

Description

Rare and original, 1860's Civil War CDV Photograph of John Ericsson - the naval designer who designed the first Union Navy Ironclad War Ship USS Monitor - the U. S. Navy Ship that fought against the Confederate vessel CSN Virginia (originally named USS Merrimack) in the first battle of ironclad ships at Hampton Roads in 1862 – by Mathew Brady.
This rare and original albumen Photograph measures approx. 2 1/4” by 3 3/8” and is mounted on its original, square corner CDV Card Mount (card measures approx 2 3/8" by 3 7/8"). This is a wonderful, vignette bust portrait of then inventor and naval engineer John Ericsson wearing formal attire. The portrait is printed on the reverse with the photographers mark that reads in part "Published by E. Anthony... From Photographic Negative in Brady's National Portrait Gallery".
John Ericsson (July 31, 1803 – March 8, 1889) was a Swedish-American inventor and mechanical engineer, as was his brother Nils Ericson. He was born in Sweden but primarily came to be active in England and the United States. He is remembered best for designing the steam locomotive Novelty (in partnership with engineer John Braithwaite) and the ironclad ship USS Monitor.
Shortly after the American Civil War broke out in 1861, the Confederacy began constructing an ironclad ram upon the hull of USS Merrimack which had been partially burned and then sunken by Federal troops before it was captured by forces loyal to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Nearly concurrently, the United States Congress had recommended in August 1861 that armored ships be built for the American Navy. Ericsson was convinced by Lincoln's hard-working Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles, and Cornelius Scranton Bushnell to submit an ironclad ship design to them. Ericsson later presented drawings of USS Monitor, a novel design of armored ship which included a rotating turret housing a pair of large cannons. Despite controversy over the unique design, based on Swedish lumber rafts, the keel was eventually laid down and the ironclad was launched on March 6, 1862. The ship went from plans to launch in approximately 100 days, an amazing achievement.
On March 8, the former USS Merrimack, rechristened CSS Virginia, was wreaking havoc on the wooden Union Blockading Squadron in Virginia, sinking the USS Congress and USS Cumberland. The Monitor appeared the next day, initiating the first battle between ironclad warships on March 9, 1862 at Hampton Roads, Virginia. The battle ended in a tactical stalemate between the two ironclad warships, neither of which appeared capable of sinking the other, but strategically saved the remaining Union fleet from defeat. After this, numerous monitors were built for the Union, including twin turret versions, and contributed greatly to the naval victory of the Union over the rebellious states. Despite their low draft and subsequent problems in navigating in high seas, many basic design elements of the Monitor class were copied in future warships by other designers and navies. The rotating turret in particular is considered one of the greatest technological advances in naval history, still found on warships today.
This rare and wonderful Civil War CDV Photograph is in very good condition. The Photograph exhibits sharp focus, strong contrast and rich tonality. While both the Albumen Photograph and the Card Mount are generally clean and crisp and very well preserved the mount is slightly trimmed at the right hand edge and at the bottom.
A very rare and original, 1860's Civil War CDV Photograph of John Ericsson - the naval designer who designed the first Union Navy Ironclad War Ship USS Monitor – by Mathew Brady and a fantastic addition to any collection!!
Be sure to check out this sellers other auctions for a number of other, original Civil War Photographs and autographs which are also being offered for sale this week on eBay!!!
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