Description:

Lincoln Abraham

Sepia-toned carte de visite of 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), published by Edward Anthony after a photographic negative from Mathew Brady’s National Portrait Gallery. The original photograph was taken by Scottish expatriate photographer Alexander Gardner in Brady’s Washington, DC studios on February 24, 1861. The oblong albumen print photo of Lincoln shows him seated at a desk furnished with a brass inkwell. (A tiny part of the rim of Lincoln’s trademark stove-pipe hat is visible on the table at extreme right.) Labeled “Published by E. Anthony, 501 Broadway, New York. From Photographic Negative from Brady’s National Portrait Gallery” verso. Also pencil inscribed “Lincoln” verso. In very good to near fine condition with isolated discoloration, measuring 2.5" x 4.125".

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) galvanized the nascent Republican Party on the eve of the Civil War by his plain ways, folksy temperament, and unflappable devotion to the preservation of the Union. Lincoln may have freed the slaves and salvaged the Union, but the American public generally conceded that he was not handsome. Lincoln’s homeliness was one of his most endearing attributes, further fostering the idea that the former rail-splitter born in a log cabin was one of the people. In fact, Lincoln exploited his awkwardness by wearing hats to further accentuate his 6’4” tall frame. Lincoln’s face was gaunt, his neck was skinny, and his bushy hair was often in disarray. Yet in this portrait -- photographed by Gardner, publicized by Brady, and published by Anthony -- President-Elect Lincoln appears both relaxed and under control.

Mathew Brady (1822-1896) and Alexander Gardner (1821-1882) dominated antebellum and Civil War-era American photography. Gardner, under the auspices of the Mathew Brady studio, took many iconic photographs of Lincoln including this one. Gardner went on to photograph the execution of Lincoln’s assassination co-conspirators. Mathew Brady was an established photographer who became even more well-known after the exhibition of his moving and gruesome battlefield photographs. Brady collaborated with another New York-based photographer, Edward Anthony (1819-1888). In addition to providing photography services, Anthony’s firm sold camera supplies, backdrops, and props to the public.

A handsome carte de visite showing Lincoln the statesman!

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