Extremely rare view taken in his Confederate naval uniform

Commander of the famous Confederate Ironclad Virginia during her duel with the Union Ironclad Monitor

(1800-74) Entered the navy as a midshipman in 1815. He was George Bancroft's chief adviser in planning the Naval Academy and was its first Superintendent serving 1845-47. He fought in the Mexican War and commanded the flagship in Perry's expedition to China and Japan 1852-55. He was named to command the Washington Navy Yard in 1859, and resigned on April 22, 1861 to join the Confederacy. Commissioned captain in the Confederate Navy, Sept. 5, 1861, he was named Chief of Orders and Details and took command of the Chesapeake Bay Squadron early in 1862. He commanded the ironclad "Merrimack" (C.S.S. Virginia) in her famous duel at Hampton Roads, Va., March 9, 1862, with the Federal ironclad, the "Monitor," and was wounded during the battle. This was the very first battle between two ironclad warships. Appointed admiral on Aug. 21, 1862, he was defeated by Admiral David G. Farragut at Mobile Bay.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 1/4 x 3 7/8 card. Seated view wearing his Confederate naval frock coat, with shoulder straps, braiding on the sleeve and piping on the cuff, two piece oval belt plate, and holding his naval cap on his lap. The hilt of his sword is visible at the right side of the image. No back mark. I've seen this image published in a couple of books, but this is the first time I've ever actually owned one in my 46 years of being in business!