A most intriguing image from the 1860s. Are they steamboat pilots? First mates? Conductors? The simple wood floor, canvas backdrop, and leather knee boots of the sitters suggest a western locale. But the most amazing part of the image are the pants tinted red and the tops of the boots tinted green. You'll sometimes see a shirt tinted a color but this is the first time I've seen color applied to pants and boots! Note what appears to be a small metal plate on the cap of the gent on the left, which is colored gold. This suggests some kind of river pilot or train conductor. And I've yet to mention that hand on the knee! One will ponder this image for a long, long time! Acquired in Missouri last month and fresh to the market.

As you can see, this tintype has scratches and dings, but the image itself is quite nice and sharp. PLEASE SEE PHOTOS; they form part of the condition description.