This image is amazing, not for the photography, not for the horse, not even for the famous rider. No, this image is amazing because it was taken in 1864.
Why We Like it
We like it because it’s really, really old for a photograph. An art that began around 1826 or 1827. This image is thought to be taken by J.R. Rockwell or Daniel Cowell outside of their photography studio on Sycamore Street, Petersburg, Virginia. Obviously photography had a lot of improving to do, but capturing an animal that wouldn’t stand still was next to impossible at the time.
We also like it because Traveler was probably his most famous horse (and he was known for his love of horses). Traveler was a gray American Saddlebred and lived from 1857–1871.