![[LINCOLN, Abraham]. GARDNER, Alexander, photographer. Oval portrait photograph of President Abraham Lincoln with printed inscription ("Yours Obt. Servt A Lincoln") on mount, taken in Gardner's Washington studio on 5 February 1865. [Washington: Philp & Solomons, 1865]. Oval albumen, on original mount with typographic credit and imprint (partly shaved at bottom), light browning and spotting to mount, marginal defects not affecting image, early calligraphic ink inscription in semicircle: "Presented to Perseverance Hose Co. No. 5 of Philadelphia, By Benjamin Raines and friends, Washington D.C., April 19th 1865." C. Hamilton & L. Ostendorf, Lincoln in Photographs, O-118, retouched variant.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2003/NYR/2003_NYR_01246_0127_000(061245).jpg?w=1)
THE PROPERTY OF A LADY
[LINCOLN, Abraham]. GARDNER, Alexander, photographer. Oval portrait photograph of President Abraham Lincoln with printed inscription ("Yours Obt. Servt A Lincoln") on mount, taken in Gardner's Washington studio on 5 February 1865. [Washington: Philp & Solomons, 1865]. Oval albumen, on original mount with typographic credit and imprint (partly shaved at bottom), light browning and spotting to mount, marginal defects not affecting image, early calligraphic ink inscription in semicircle: "Presented to Perseverance Hose Co. No. 5 of Philadelphia, By Benjamin Raines and friends, Washington D.C., April 19th 1865." C. Hamilton & L. Ostendorf, Lincoln in Photographs, O-118, retouched variant.
Details
[LINCOLN, Abraham]. GARDNER, Alexander, photographer. Oval portrait photograph of President Abraham Lincoln with printed inscription ("Yours Obt. Servt A Lincoln") on mount, taken in Gardner's Washington studio on 5 February 1865. [Washington: Philp & Solomons, 1865]. Oval albumen, on original mount with typographic credit and imprint (partly shaved at bottom), light browning and spotting to mount, marginal defects not affecting image, early calligraphic ink inscription in semicircle: "Presented to Perseverance Hose Co. No. 5 of Philadelphia, By Benjamin Raines and friends, Washington D.C., April 19th 1865." C. Hamilton & L. Ostendorf, Lincoln in Photographs, O-118, retouched variant.
LINCOLN'S LAST FORMAL PORTRAIT FROM LIFE, BY ALEXANDER GARDNER
A rare, large-format example of haunting image of the 16th President, taken s a month before his 1865 Inauguration. At the time Lincoln sat for this last portrait, the end of the war appeared increasingly inevitable, while its terrible human toll had become grimly apparent. Only four days before, Lincoln had approved the historic resolution submitting the 13th Amendment (prohibiting all forms of slavery) to the states for ratification.
We have little information regarding the sitting, which produced a number of exceptional images of the 16th President, but it took place at Gardner's Gallery on 5 February 1865. All the portraits taken on that occasion by Gardner are highly regarded. They show a tired but apparently relaxed Lincoln; as Hamilton and Ostendorf note, "a man at peace with himself." The present large-format oval variant exhibits careful retouching: shadows have been added to Lincoln's necktie and his hair, sideburns and beard have been meticulously trimmed "more closely than at any time since he entered the White House" (Hamilton and Ostendorf, p.230). It is quite possible that prints from Gardner's glass plate were produced and placed on sale in the immediate aftermath of Lincoln's assassination. In fact, this example of Gardner's portrait bears a presentation inscription dated only a few days after Lincoln's death.
LINCOLN'S LAST FORMAL PORTRAIT FROM LIFE, BY ALEXANDER GARDNER
A rare, large-format example of haunting image of the 16th President, taken s a month before his 1865 Inauguration. At the time Lincoln sat for this last portrait, the end of the war appeared increasingly inevitable, while its terrible human toll had become grimly apparent. Only four days before, Lincoln had approved the historic resolution submitting the 13th Amendment (prohibiting all forms of slavery) to the states for ratification.
We have little information regarding the sitting, which produced a number of exceptional images of the 16th President, but it took place at Gardner's Gallery on 5 February 1865. All the portraits taken on that occasion by Gardner are highly regarded. They show a tired but apparently relaxed Lincoln; as Hamilton and Ostendorf note, "a man at peace with himself." The present large-format oval variant exhibits careful retouching: shadows have been added to Lincoln's necktie and his hair, sideburns and beard have been meticulously trimmed "more closely than at any time since he entered the White House" (Hamilton and Ostendorf, p.230). It is quite possible that prints from Gardner's glass plate were produced and placed on sale in the immediate aftermath of Lincoln's assassination. In fact, this example of Gardner's portrait bears a presentation inscription dated only a few days after Lincoln's death.