Naval History Photographer: Carl Wigand (1845-1883).... Lot 4049

Naval History Photographer: Carl Wigand (1845-1883). Portrait of Adolph Wilhelm Berger (1829-1898). 1850s. Quarter-plate (circa 9 x 7,5 cm) daguerreotype with gilt-ruled paper surround, newly sealed behind glass in modern brown canvas clamshell box with gilt-stamped title Adolph Berger. The daguerreotype offered here shows Adolph Wilhelm Berger in the uniform of a Prussian naval officer with the rank of "Leutnant z. See II. Klasse". His promotion in 1855 was probably why he visited the studio of Carl Wigand to take a souvenir with him from Berlin. His training began in 1848 on the U.S. "St. Lawrence", which Adolph Berger and four other Prussian cadets boarded in Bremerhaven in 1848 so they could learn the ins and outs of the U.S. Navy. The American Captain Paulding advised the German states on building naval forces, among other things, during this mission. In July 1849, the frigate returned to Bremerhaven via Southampton, Lisbon and Cadiz, and discharged the cadets, as Prussia was at war with Denmark at the time. Further training took place in 1863/64 with the Royal Navy aboard H.M.S. "Black Prince". In an album offered in the next lot 4050, also from the estate of Adolph Berger, there are circa 14 portraits of officers of the "Black Prince", as well as crews and officers of the ships mentioned below. In the German-Danish War of 1864, Berger served on the "Arcona" and was severely wounded. In the following years between 1867-1877 he commanded the "Musquito", "Niobe", "Hansa", "Renown" and the armed frigate "Friedrich Carl". Berger's career culminated with the rank of vice admiral.