Figure 1.--The boy in this CDV portrait is identified as Henry Johnson on the reverse. Rhe studio is not identified or is it dated. The fact that there is on logo on the CSV and no reventue stamp suggests to us thst ot was a early CDV. Er believe it was taken in 1861 or 62. He holds an elongated kepi, butvthis does not appear to be a uniform. These collasr buttoning jackets were a popular boy's style in the 1850s and early 60s. The dog looks like it is stuffed.

We do occassionlly see one major stylistic variation. Some kepis were done with much higher bodies than the standard kepi. There were other minor differences, but this was the principal difference we have noted. This left the flat top at a greater angle than the sandard kepi. These high elongated kepis were not commonly worn by boys, but we have seen a few examples. The elongated kepis seem most common for uniforms in the first year of the Civil War. We are less sure about the 1850s before the War. These elongated caps were much less common as the war progressed. Presumably boys' fashions followed suit.

Created: 9:58 PM 10/22/2009
Last updated: 9:58 PM 10/22/2009