Description
Original carte-de-visite by C. D. Fredricks, 587 Broadway, New-York with Paris/Habana branch imprint. The sitter has identified and dated the card in ink: “Taken July 22d, 1866, this day being the 83rd Anniversary of my birth, James D. Stout.” A second note reads, “James D. Stout made the little dominoes & box, 1810.” Based on the birth date and New York context, the sitter is very likely James DeForest Stout (1783-1868), a New York engraver known for early 19th-century maps (e.g., Longworth’s 1817 New York plan; Darby’s 1818 U.S. map). Strong crossover appeal for map/NYC history and photographic collectors.
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Studio & backmark: C. D. Fredricks & Co., 587 Broadway; classic checkerboard back with Paris/Habana addresses, mid-1860s
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Autograph & date: Bold ink inscription by the sitter, July 22, 1866 (his 83rd birthday)
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Attribution: Fits James DeForest Stout (1783-1868), NYC engraver/silversmith, adding biographical interest
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Historical note: Late-July 1866 falls at the end of the Civil War photo-tax period; many cards from this moment lack surviving revenue stamps
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Condition: Light overall toning and handling; minor edge/corner wear; clean, legible inscriptions; no revenue stamp present; please view all photos for details
A scarce signed, birthday-dated Fredricks CDV with a highly collectible New York engraving connection.
