Robert E. Lee, Albumen Photograph, With Mary Custis Lee inscription

Description

In the Spring of 1864 Lee agreed to have a series of portraits taken for use by sculptor Edward V. Valentine, who was studying in Berlin. Valentine was to sculpt a small statue of Lee to be sold at a benefit for Confederate prisoner relief in Liverpool, England.  The sitting was done at Julian Vannerson’s gallery in Richmond.  The group of portraits was known as Lee’s Blockade Images, as they were sent through the blockade to Valentine in Europe.

General Lee’s daughter inscribed this famous left profile portrait to Mrs. St. John Alison Lawton.  Inscription reads in full, “General Robert E. Lee / of Virginia / C.S.A. / To dear Mrs. Lawton / from / his daughter, / Mary Custis Lee / [date partially obscured].  Accompanying card identifies Lawton as President General of the U.D.C., in 1925. 

A vivid image; v. lt. stain matte.   
Lee, Robert E. Photograph, the Vannerson “Blockade” Portrait.  Anderson Studio, 1864.  6 ½” x 5 ½” (sight) in matte; Inscribed on verso and Signed by Mary Custis Lee (April 9, 1901).