W.P. Floyd Hong Kong: Uniformed Officer (Vintage CDV ~1870s)

original vintage carte de visite (cdv) photo - no reprint!  

carte de visite photos were first introduced in 1854 and were replaced by the larger cabinet cards, in the early 1870s...

antique carte de visite (cdv) photograph showing a young bearded man in military or naval uniform, photographed in profile. he wears a dark double breasted jacket with a single fringed epaulette on the left shoulder, a decoration or medal pinned to the chest, and holds what appears to be a sword tassel in his left hand. studio setting with a carved side table visible in the background.

photographed by w.p. floyd (william pryor floyd, 1834 to circa 1900), an english photographer whose studio was located on the corner of wellington and wyndham streets in hong kong. floyd was one of the most prominent western photographers active in hong kong during this period. the studio backmark on the reverse confirms this location, which floyd occupied from 1869 until around 1874, making this a well documented period piece from the early history of photography in hong kong.

the sitter is unidentified. the uniform style with its single epaulette and decoration may indicate a naval or colonial officer, possibly european, but this has not been confirmed.

standard cdv format, mounted on card, sepia toned albumen print. please see photos for condition, including any spotting, foxing, or wear consistent with age. photo backed with photographer's printed label reading "w. p. floyd, wellington and wyndham streets, hongkong."

a scarce piece of hong kong colonial and photographic history, suitable for collectors of early china trade photography, cdvs, or 19th century military portraiture.

size: ~ 10.5 x 6.4 cm (1 cm ~ 0.39 inch)

condition: very good to excellent....please also refer to scan which show complete front and reverse of photo.

fotografie, photograph, photographe, kabinettformat, cabinet photo, foto, kabinett photo, cdv, carde de visite, albumen silver print, tirage albuminé, indochina, trade, uniforms, militaria