Description:

Robert E. Lee
[Washington, DC or New York, NY], ca. 1866
R.E. Lee PSA MINT 9 Signed CDV - Scarce Post-War Brady Variation of "Clock on Table" Pose!
Signed CDV

A period Brady & Co. carte de visite of former Confederate General Robert E. Lee (1807-1870), boldly signed by Lee as "R E Lee" at lower right outside the image in the bottom margin, with the tops of the letters just touching the photograph. N.d. but probably ca. 1866. [Washington, DC or New York, New York.] The half-length portrait of an aged Lee wearing civilian clothes, pictured in a 3/4 profile facing left, is an exceptionally rare pose. Sepia-colored albumen photograph laid down on a gold-trimmed mount. The elegant backstamp is printed verso as: "Brady & Co's / National Photographic / Portrait Galleries, / No. 352 Pennsylvania Avenue, / Washington D.C. / And / Broadway & Tenth St., N.Y." Encapsulated and PSA/DNA certified and graded MINT 9. Expected wear including gentle mostly even toning, with isolated foxing and flyspecking verso. Isolated stains and minor loss to the photo surface. The upper right corner of the mount is slightly cropped. Else very good to near fine. The mount measures 2.375" x 4" while the slab measures 4.125" x 7.25".

In our carte de visite photograph, Lee is shown seated next to a table upon which rests a large and ornate figural mantle clock, only the bottom corner of which is visible here. Larger, uncropped versions of this photograph showing Lee's full body, including his crossed legs and feet, as well as most of the impressive clock, have been dubbed the Lee "Clock" images. This "clock on table" pose and variations of it are extremely rare.

Mathew Brady is believed to have taken the original photograph of Lee in February 1866, when Lee was in Washington, D.C. participating in Congressional hearings. Lee provided lengthy testimony to the Joint Committee on Reconstruction on February 17, 1866. There, he answered questions concerning the general attitude of former "secessionists in Virginia" to a variety of topics, including the U.S. government, Unionists, war reparations, Confederate debt, Confederate foreign alliances, racial prejudice, and the education and societal integration of freed enslaved persons.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: slabbed: 4.125" x 7.25"
  • Medium: Signed CDV

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March 25, 2026 10:30 AM EDT
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University Archives

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