eBay

This is an original period image from the Library of Congress, the National Archives and other quality sources restored and tinted by the internationally known color artist and author of "Restoring and Tinting Vintage Images", David Richardson. This is an exclusive listing of his work on ebay.

Each image is taken from a high resolution negative and then cleaned of blemishes, damage, scratches, and whatever the decades have caused. Then the image is carefully brought back to life by adding color to the black and white image. By using these techniques the hands of time are turned back and for the first time you can see the images in color as they might have been on the day they were taken.

You have your choice of size and finish for the photo. Note that the size you choose may require cropping and the finished image may appear slightly different than the one shown. If preferred a white border can be added above/below or left/right to allow all of the original image to print. Unless requested when placing your order, your image may be cropped. If you would like to see how a specific image will look for the size you have chosen, please contact us and indicate the size you are interested in.

Matte Finish:

E-Surface Photo Paper is by far our most popular photographic paper. As a professional paper, it boasts rich, sharp color that won't fade or yellow, creating beautiful prints that will last for years to come.

Glossy (Metallic) finish:

Our Metallic Photo Paper features a unique pearlescent surface. It offers highly saturated colors, ultra-bright backgrounds, and will last a lifetime with typical home storage.

Shell-damaged Ponder House

Atlanta, Ga

November 1864

While the image was originally mislabeled as the “Potter house”, this was the home of Ephraim Ponder, a wealthy slave dealer in Atlanta. Built in 1857, it was used by confederate sharpshooters during the battle of Atlanta and heavily damaged by Union forces. The house was never rebuilt or occupied after the war and was abandoned.

One of Ponder’s former slaves did go on to achieve a measure of fame in his own right. Henry Flipper, son of Festus Flipper, a shoemaker owned by Ponder, was only five years old at the start of the war. Following the war he attended Atlanta University where he was received an appointment to West Point. Four other blacks were attending at the time, but it was Flipper that was the first to graduate in 1877. The Army, still being segregated at the time, assigned him to an all-black Buffalo Soldier regiment at Fort Sill, in what is now Oklahoma. During this time, he was accepted by the commanding officer and was even made adjunct.

In 1880, he was transferred to Fort Davis in Texas, were he was not accepted by the commanding officer. He was assigned the role of quartermaster and made responsible for the unit’s safe. Flipper discovered a discrepancy of $2,000 in 1881, which he attempted to cover up. When the shortage was discovered, Flipper lied and was arrested for embezzlement. During the preceding Court Martial, Flipper was found innocent of the charge of embezzlement, but guilty of “conduct unbecoming to an officer and gentleman” and was dishonorable discharged from the Army. Following the war he worked in Texas as a civil engineer and even attempted to serve during the Spanish-American War, but his requests was ignored. He died in 1940. He received an official pardon by Bill Clinton in 1999. After his discharged was changed, West Point honored him by unveiling a bust of him and establishing an annual Henry O. Flipper award for cadets that exhibit “leadership, self-discipline, and perseverance in the face of unusual difficulties”.