Hilarious rare sixth-plate ambrotype of a group of women who appear to be related to the Salvation Army.  This image comes from an older American collection so we don’t have a full history. However, while it is hard to determine because of the condition we swear the woman in the middle holding the large bottle of medicine with the cross could be Catherine Booth who along with her husband William was a co-founder of the organization.   All are dressed in similar outfits or uniforms and the woman on the far left plays a flute.   This certainly could be a later English ambrotype but it is difficult to determine because there is no black backing which would normally give us a hint to the country of origin.  There was definite flaws though in the photographers process including a heavy hand in tinting their cheeks bright red.  Condition is evident with the scan but if this is Catherine Booth it would be the earliest example we have been able to locate.  We have also provided a lighter digital photo which might help to determine identification.  It was not in a case but for protection we enclosed it in a well-worn half case that is missing leather.
$85