1860s GERMON Large Albumen Photo in Wall Frame ID'd Navy Commander Died ON Ship For Sale

Large original albumen photo of Navy Commander Louis Kingsley, photographed sometime around 1865, probably when he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Photographed by Germon, Philadelphia, whose studio imprint is visible along the bottom edge of the image. Albumen is behind glass in its original wood and gesso wall frame, with Kingsley's name and date of birth (1846) on the back.

Wall frame dimensions are 14 1/2" x 12 3/4" x 2 1/2", and has a wire hanger, ready to hang. Kingsley lived in Boston. He was in command of the USS Essex when, on January 4, 1896, was found dead in his cabin at only 49 years old. See sale photo #2 for an article found online (which is included for reference only.. neither the original article or a hard copy of it are included).

Condition notes... the image has surface grime and/or dirt and/or foxing, but since it's behind glass I can't tell positively what it is or whether it can be brushed or cleaned off. It does not obscure the image, which is clear and undamaged, as far as creases or losses. The frame has losses to the gesso, but is still an impressive piece in person.

*** If interested, I have several other members of Kingsley's family in similar or matching frames, which can be made available at some point.

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Gloucester Point across from Yorktown. On January 4, around 2:20 pm, Commander Louis Kingsley died in his cabin. The next day, Navy Tug Wahneta came alongside the ship with stored and an undertaker with the Commander's casket. All hands mustered and placed the remains of Commander Kingsley on board Wahneta; the tug transferred the body to the Norfolk Navy Yard. The crew half-masted the ensign and jack. On January 6, Wahneta returned the Commander and his effects to Essex; again, all hands received the body on board. With half-masted colors and pennant, the ship stood down the York River, through Chesapeake Bay to Annapolis. Essex was under command of Lt. Commander F.M. Wise. The next day, Essex moored to the Naval Academy Wharf and transferred Kingsley's body to the Navy Academy Chapel. On January 8, a large number of the ship's complement attended Kingsley's funeral, the ship flew half-masted colors, and 7 minute guns were fired by the station during the funeral. For the next 12 days, the Essex crew had target practice, gymnastic exercises, other training activities,

and USS Santee exchanged signals with the ship. On January 21, Commander E.T. Strong reported on board Essex and took command and for the next 8 days, the crew and apprentices conducted target practice with boats, small arms, and gymnastics. On January 29, USS Essex cast off from the Naval Academy and steamed down the Severin River to the South Western Triangle Buoy for stationary and moving battery practice with different sized shells. The ship returned to the Naval Academy on January 31.