LINCOLN, Abraham. Carte-de-visite photograph signed ("A. Lincoln"), taken on 24 February 1861 [by Alexander Gardner] for Matthew B. Brady, published by E. Anthony, New York (with imprint on verso of mount), n.d. 97 x 61 mm., very slight foxing to left upper portion. SIGNED BY LINCOLN IN INK ON LOWER LEFT PORTION OF MOUNT. Verso with autograph authentication inscription of Lincoln's secretary, John Hay: "I certify that the President's signature is genuine, John Hay." Enclosed in a custom-made blue morocco folding case with watered silk interior, upper cover gilt-lettered "Lincoln Portrait Autographed." Hamilton & Ostendorf, Lincoln in Photographs, O-49A.

Lot 87

Price realised USD 76,375

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USD 40,000 – USD 60,000

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Price realised USD 76,375

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LINCOLN, Abraham. Carte-de-visite photograph signed ("A. Lincoln"), taken on 24 February 1861 [by Alexander Gardner] for Matthew B. Brady, published by E. Anthony, New York (with imprint on verso of mount), n.d. 97 x 61 mm., very slight foxing to left upper portion. SIGNED BY LINCOLN IN INK ON LOWER LEFT PORTION OF MOUNT. Verso with autograph authentication inscription of Lincoln's secretary, John Hay: "I certify that the President's signature is genuine, John Hay." Enclosed in a custom-made blue morocco folding case with watered silk interior, upper cover gilt-lettered "Lincoln Portrait Autographed." Hamilton & Ostendorf, Lincoln in Photographs, O-49A.

PRESIDENT-ELECT LINCOLN, ONE WEEK BEFORE HIS INAUGURATION

A well-known portrait by Alexander Gardner from Lincoln's first sitting in Washington, only a week before his inauguration as President. It shows the President-elect seated, facing to the left, with his arm resting on a table, a pocket watch in his hand and the brim of his familiar top-hat just visible on the table to the right. "Exhausted by a train journey during which he had travelled nearly two thousand miles and visited seven states, Lincoln went to Brady's studio, probably on Sunday, February 24, 1861, and sat, absorbed in problems, while Alexander Gardner took five poses." As recounted by George H. Story, one of Brady's associates, "when I entered the room the President was seated in a chair wholly absorbed in deep thought...I said in an undertone to the operator, 'bring your instrument here and take the picture'" (quoted in Hamilton & Ostendorf, p.77). The camera was reloaded. By then, "apparently concerned about the time the photographer was taking...the harried President-elect...looked at the watch which he holds, case still open, in his right hand" (ibid., p.79). Throughout the sitting Lincoln was careful to keep his right hand either closed or out of view during the sitting, as it was swollen from the thousands of handshakes with well-wishers on his extended journey to Washington. The swelling is visible in the last pose in the series.

Only one other signed carte from this important Brady series has been offered at auction in recent years: a copy with identical backstamp and similar Hay authentication was part of the Marans Collection (sale, Christie's, 17 April 1996, lot 151, $34,000).

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