1/8th Plate Tintype of Union Soldier Outdoors Shelbyville, Illinois

Sharp 1/8th Plate Outdoor Tintype – Union Soldier with Rifle, G.W. Sittler, Shelbyville, Illinois
 
This is a rare and exceptionally clear 1/8th plate tintype showing a Union soldier posed outdoors with his rifle. The soldier stands confidently in full view, holding his musket at rest while another soldier is visible in the background, adding depth and a strong camp-like atmosphere to the scene. The outdoor setting is particularly desirable, as most small-format tintypes from the Civil War were taken in studio settings.
 
The image retains excellent clarity and contrast for a 1/8th plate, with good detail visible in the uniform, rifle, and facial features. It is housed in its original period paper mat, which is a nice bonus for this small format.
 
The back of the mat is stamped by the photographer: “G. W. Sittler, Shelbyville, Illinois”
 
Outdoor images by identified Illinois photographers are quite scarce, especially in this small size. This is a strong, character-filled Civil War soldier photograph with excellent provenance from a documented Midwest photographer.