Rare Civil War CDV Salt Print – Confederate Maj. Gen. Sterling Price

Rare Civil War CDV Salt Print – Confederate Maj. Gen. Sterling Price, from Tanner & Vanness Collection
 
This is a scarce original salt print carte de visite (CDV) of Major General Sterling Price, a senior Confederate commander known as “Old Pap.” Produced using one of the earliest photographic processes of the Civil War era, this salt print exhibits the characteristic rich, matte tonality and lighter overall appearance typical of the medium. The image presents a strong bust-style portrait of the general in uniform, displaying excellent detail and a commanding presence despite the inherent lightness of salt prints. There is no photographer backmark on this example, but it originates from a larger collection of authenticated Tanner & Vanness CDVs from Lynchburg, Virginia — a premier Southern studio whose images are highly prized by collectors. The CDV remains in attractive condition with minimal fading or wear consistent with its age on the standard mount (approximately 2.5 x 4 inches).
Sterling Price (1809–1867) was a Virginia-born Missouri politician, U.S. Congressman, and governor who became a major general in the Confederate States Army. He led Missouri State Guard forces early in the war, winning notable victories at Wilson’s Creek and Lexington before receiving a Confederate commission. Price fought across the Western and Trans-Mississippi theaters, including Pea Ridge, Helena, and his famous 1864 Missouri Expedition. A popular and respected leader among Western Confederate troops, his likenesses in early photographic formats like salt prints are exceptionally uncommon.
 
Identified salt print CDVs of Confederate generals are highly sought after due to their rarity compared to standard albumen prints. This example, tied to a Tanner & Vanness collection, would make a superb addition to any advanced Civil War photography collection, Trans-Mississippi or Missouri-focused assemblage, or general officer portrait gallery. Similar early-process images of high-ranking Western Theater commanders have commanded strong prices in the collector market.