Details
[LEE, ROBERT E.] VANNERSON, JAMES. Oval salt print of Lee in profile, on original mount with printed credit, "Photographed by J. Vannerson, 77 Main Street, Richmond, Va.," taken in Richmond, February 1864. Approximately 6 x 4 in., cameo style on original mount, slightly faded, but the image still strong. Signed ("R.E. Lee") in lower blank portion. Fine condition.
A RARE WARDATE IMAGE, BOLDLY SIGNED.
Vannerson was the pre-eminent portrait photographer of the antebellum and mid-war South. Lee agreed to the sitting in order that a young sculptor, Edward V. Valentine, then working in Europe, could use the images to make a small sculpture of Lee, intended for sale at a Confederate benefit in England. Lee "put himself in fullest dress, with every evidence of care as to his appearance. And...we are aware of a courtly formality..." (Meredith, Face of Robert E. Lee, p.40.). Four images were supposedly taken, but only three survive. All are rare, especially when signed.
A RARE WARDATE IMAGE, BOLDLY SIGNED.
Vannerson was the pre-eminent portrait photographer of the antebellum and mid-war South. Lee agreed to the sitting in order that a young sculptor, Edward V. Valentine, then working in Europe, could use the images to make a small sculpture of Lee, intended for sale at a Confederate benefit in England. Lee "put himself in fullest dress, with every evidence of care as to his appearance. And...we are aware of a courtly formality..." (Meredith, Face of Robert E. Lee, p.40.). Four images were supposedly taken, but only three survive. All are rare, especially when signed.