Lot Description

LINCOLN, Abraham. GARDNER, Alexander, photographer. Mammoth-size albumen portrait of Abraham Lincoln, taken in Washington at Gardner's studio on 9 August 1863, captioned: "Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States."

The sheet: 29 x 19 in. The image: 18 7/8 by 15 1/8 in. Gardner's imprint in small type at bottom edge. Small clean tear in upper margin, three clean small tears to mage, otherwise in excellent condition. Neatly matted, in an early American mahogany frame.

A REMARKABLE MAMMOTH PRINT OF A SUPERB GARDNER PORTRAIT OF LINCOLN. THE OSTENDORF COPY

A lovely, rich, sepia-toned portrait by Gardner, one of an important series of six portraits taken on Sunday, 9 August 1863, on Lincoln's first visit to Gardner's new studio at 7th and D Street, Washington, D.C. "Lincoln had promised to be Gardner's first sitter and chose Sunday for his visit to avoid 'curiosity seekers and other seekers' while on his way to the gallery" (Hamilton & Ostendorf, p.130). He was accompanied by his secretary John Hay. In the portrait, Lincoln's gaze is hauntingly direct, unflinching and impenetrable. This fine oversize print is known in only a few examples. Hamilton & Ostendorf O-74 (perhaps illustrating this copy on p.138). Provenance: Lloyd Ostendorf (1921-2000), his sale, Bonham's, 23 November 2004, lot 9077 (the cover lot), $85,000.

Pre-Lot Text

THE PROPERTY OF A PRIVATE COLLECTOR