Abraham Lincoln, Carte De Visite Donated by Lincoln

Description

Abraham Lincoln donated this carte de visite to the Westford, MA Sanitary Fair, held in February 1863.

Lincoln often donated items for sale to Sanitary Fairs and Levees that benefited soldier’s families.  It is insightful that Lincoln must have felt this particular image represented him well and to his liking. 

John Hay wrote of this sitting that “Lincoln was in very high spirits.”  Gardner captured him holding a newspaper in one hand and his spectacles in the other, being a candid shot as if Lincoln was interrupted from reading between takes.

Excellent though somewhat light tonality; corners uncut as issued. 

(Gardner, Alexander)  Abraham Lincoln Albumen Carte-de-Visite.  (9 August 1863).  O-72.   Handwritten note on verso in period ink:  “Contributed for the  benefit of the S. A. So. of Westford, Mass at the Levee of Dec. 14^th 1864 by President Lincoln.”