Albumen carte de visite photograph depicting “Old Abe,” the Live Wisconsin War Eagle, perched on a wooden stand. Old Abe served as the celebrated mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War and later became a national symbol following the war.

The reverse contains a printed advertisement reading:

“Old Abe, the Live Wisconsin War Eagle. The Centennial Photograph. Photographed by J.O. Barrett.” The text also references the eagle’s exhibition during the Centennial International Exposition of 1876 in Philadelphia.

Old Abe was widely known during and after the Civil War as one of the most famous military mascots in American history.

A striking and historically interesting CDV featuring one of the most recognizable animal symbols associated with the Union war effort.