This is a "Magic" Lantern slide showing an actual image of the Long Bridge in Washington D.C. These lantern slides have been in use since the 17th century. They got their name from the viewing devices used to project the image . The earliest slides were hand painted images on a glass plate and were used to enhance the telling of stories. In 1848 the first photographic slide was produced by the Langenheim brothers of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. These new types of slides were produced by American and British companies. The British made slides measure 3.25" x 3.25", while the American made slides measure 3.25" x 4". The majority of these slides consist of two sheets of glass, one with the image on one side and covered by the second piece of glass. They are usually bound together with black paper tape. Most of these slides were black and white, but some were hand colored. The Americans developed a method for making slides rarely used elsewhere in the world. They created a master drawing, photographed it, then printed slides from the master. This lantern slide is an actual image of the Long Bridge, most likely photographed by Matthew Brady or one of his associates. The image was taken from the Washington D.C. side during the early days of the war. An NCO is shown on the left side of the image and an enlisted sentry is on the right side. An 1851 sword belt plate with an NCO sword can clearly be seen on the figure on the left. A shoulder strap with an eagle breast plate is also visible on the NCO. The sentry is wearing a M1839 US oval belt plate with cap box visible. A shoulder strap with an eagle breast plate and what looks to be an Model 1861 Springfield are also clearly visible on the sentry. The Long Bridge spans the Potomac river and connects Washington D.C. with Arlington, Virginia. The slide measures 3 1/4" high and 4" wide. The image has great clarity and great detail. The cardboard border is in good condition on all four edges. The front of the slide is marked in gold lettering and reads "ORIGINAL WAR VIEWS-1861-1865." on the left side and "Taylor & Huntington , Hartford, Conn." on the right side. The back of the slide has a hand written tag in period ink that reads "Long Bridge". This is a cool little piece of photographic as well as Civil War history.

Item # AA1656