"Regular Contraband" c. 1863

"Regular Contraband" is a poignant carte de visite photograph taken by McPherson & Oliver in 1863. The image, measuring 9 × 5.6 cm, depicts a formerly enslaved African American man seated in a chair. His worn clothes and weary expression provide a stark testament to the hardships faced by individuals during the Civil War. The photograph's title and subject matter reflect the term "contraband," which was used to describe enslaved people who escaped to Union lines during the war. This photo serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of the conflict and the resilience of those who sought freedom.