American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography, including The Larry Ness Collection of Native American Photography

3 CDV albums identified to prominent Massachusetts families including the Shaw Family (Robert Gould Shaw), the Higginson Family (James Jackson Higginson), and the Cabot and Heath Families. All were considered part of the Boston Brahmin class, as well as the influential abolitionist social circles in Boston.

Collection comprises approx. 103 CDVs, highlighted by: Vignetted bust portrait of Robert Gould SHAW in civilian clothing. Boston, MA: J. W. Black, n.d. -- Studio portrait of Robert Gould SHAW in uniform, looking down at his seated sister, Josephine Shaw. Boston, MA: J. W. Black, [1863] (significant toning, some wear, clipped along all edges). Lengthy ink inscription to verso reads "Grace Heath / R. G. Shaw - / J. Shaw - / April. 1863 - / Please give this to Gray & tell her I wish it wer[e] better. I had meant to write [remainder of text clipped]." -- Seated portrait of a unknown bearded captain in uniform, identified only as "Shaw" on verso. Uncredited. -- 2 portraits of James Jackson Higginson, 1st Massachusetts Cavalry, in first lieutenant's uniform. Boston, MA: Whipple, n.d. James Higginson was promoted to captain in September of 1864. -- 2 seated studio portraits of Henry Lee Higginson, 2nd Massachusetts Infantry and 1st Massachusetts Cavalry, WIA at Aldie, VA, in uniform. One by J. W. Black, the other by Whipple. Higginson was ultimately promoted to lieutenant colonel by brevet in March of 1865. -- Full standing portrait of a bushy-bearded Francis "Frank" L. Lee in uniform. Boston, MA: J. W. Black, n.d. Signed and inscribed to Boston socialite Grace Heath on verso: "Miss Grace Heath with the best love, Col Francis L. Lee." Lee received a commission as major of the 4th Massachusetts Infantry Battalion in May of 1862, and a few months thereafter was commissioned a colonel of the 44th Massachusetts Infantry. He served in that capacity until mustering out in June of 1863. The prominent Lee family was also connected with the Higginson family. -- Seated studio portrait of a uniformed captain only identified as "Shaw" on verso. Uncredited, n.d. The bearded man could be a member of the Shaw family, but we could find no images of Shaws matching this portrait. -- And a standing studio portrait of Louis Agassiz, signed on mount recto and inscribed to Grace Heath on verso. Uncredited, n.d.

Other portraits include members of the Howe, Heath, Cabot, Atkinson, and Tuckerman families.