4 1/4" X 6 1/2" Albumen Cabinet Card. No. 4. -- North East View Of Andersonville Prison, Georgia

RIDDLE, ANDREW JACKSON [PHOTOGRAPHER]

Publication: Photographed by Andrew Jackson Riddle, n d (ca 1864), Andersonville, Georgia

Albumen cabinet card on mount that is one of only seven known views taken of the notorious prison during the Civil War. The image size is approximately 4" x 5 3/4," with the mount being 4 1/4" x 6 1/2." On the verso an early description is affixed along with the inked signature of "W. F. Porter."

A scarce view of Andersonville prison during the Civil War. From the description on the verso : "No. 4 - North East view of Andersonville Prison, Ga., photographed from the Stockade in summer of 1864. Below is a part of the prison called "The Island," while beyond are more Tents with Prisoners in and out of them. On the right, the famous "Dead Line" extends over the top of the hill, to cross which was instant death. Further to the right the top of the Stockade is seen, with a Sentry Stand mounted by a Sentry on the outside, with one also on the top of the hill." However, online resources indicate that this description may be for a different view. The Chrysler Museum of Art identifies tis lot as "Southwest view of Stockade Showing the Dead Line. Thirty-three thousand Prisoners in Bastile, August 17, 1864." This is from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War (Hack Collection No. 2).(https://chrysler.museum.com/objects/32819/andersoville-prison-georgia-southwest-view-of-stockade).

Whatever the view, this is an extreme rarity from the renowned personal collection of Dr. George D. Lacy. Minor wear to the extremities else a near fine item.