Mystery Couple From Mystery Country

[Treetotal]

I have just noticed that the lady is wearing a cross, so she is most likely to be holding a prayer book or bible.
Carol

[Ruskie]

Another thread with more detail about writing on back:
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=871142.new#new
Which looks like instructions re touch up, enhancement or enlargement of photo (which they didn’t do too good a job on imo). 

[Cas (stallc)]

Note she is not wearing a wedding band, so maybe not married?

Cas

[Uhnnohn]

Maybe a political slogan related to the 'ironclad oath' involving U.S. Senator Charles Sumner.

Read more here: https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/Civil_War_TestOath1863.htm

Now that is a great obscure item, bravo!
Might be "Charles Ironclad Oath"

I am very impressed by that find.

[Uhnnohn]

Note she is not wearing a wedding band, so maybe not married?

Cas

Or possibly, the artist who sketched over the enlargement missed the ring when doing the hands?
Wild guess of course.

[Handypandy]

For the man's outfit, search images for civil war military capes. There are many styles but some look similar.

[still_looking]

There was a New York regiment known as the Ironclads.
https://museum.dmna.ny.gov/unit-history/infantry-2/136th-infantry-regiment

The text might read Fearless Ironclads, the curve might then make sense in terms of civil war era flags/banners.

According to the unit history they were in Tennessee at one point so the sitter may have served with them or this may be a war trophy.

S_L

[Uhnnohn]

Thank you all for the excellent responses!
I think I will set the description as this.

Unknown US Civil War Veteran & Wife
Wearing an old army cape with the usual buttons missing or omitted by the sketch artist
The man holds an illegible sign that looks to include the word "Ironclad"
His wife is holding glasses and, most likely, a bible

[Treetotal]

Does the price £2 refer to what you paid for it?
Carol