Copying Maps, Photographic Headquarters, Petersburg, Virginia
Unknown
Attributed to Alexander Gardner American, Scottish
Not on view
Alexander Gardner, George N. Barnard, and numerous other Civil War photographers duplicated maps and important military documents using a copy camera set up like the one shown in this view. Leaning against the log cabin are a pair of contact printing frames tilted toward the sun. For large and small campaigns and even minor exploratory forages, officers in the North and the South needed accurate regional maps, which were in short supply at war’s start. Since hand-tracing or engraving existing maps proved too time consuming, army topographic engineers hired photographers to copy and print maps and other important documents in the field.
Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.
