LINCOLN, Abraham (1809-1865). GERMAN, C.S. photographer. Large oval photograph portrait signed and dated ("A. Lincoln, January 26 1861 Springfield, Ill."). Taken in Springfield, Illinois probably on Sunday 13 or 26 January 1861.
LINCOLN, Abraham (1809-1865). GERMAN, C.S. photographer. Large oval photograph portrait signed and dated ("A. Lincoln, January 26 1861 Springfield, Ill."). Taken in Springfield, Illinois probably on Sunday 13 or 26 January 1861. Albumen salt-print portrait. Photograph: 8 x 6 in., 9 ¾ x 7 3/4in. including heavy card mount. A few spots along lower edge and top right, otherwise in extremely good condition, Lincoln's ink inscription dark and very clear. Hamilton & Ostendorf, Lincoln in Photographs, O-42. THE FIRST PORTRAIT OF LINCOLN IN FULL BEARD, INSCRIBED TWO WEEKS BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE FROM SPRINGFIELD TO ASSUME THE PRESIDENCY AND FACE THE SECESSION CRISIS Thomas D. Jones, a sculptor, accompanied Lincoln to a local photographer, "to pose him for some pictures he desired to present to a very dear friend" (quoted by Hamilton & Ostendorf, p.68). On a Sunday in January the two visited the studio of C. S. German, styled the "National Gallery" in downtown Springfield. The resulting images (Hamilton and Ostendorf 41 and 42) are superbly detailed depictions of the newly elected president. at a critical point in his life and political career. "Visitors did not know what to make of this President-elect," David Herbert Donald writes, "He surprised even his old friends by growing a beard. During the campaign some New York 'True Republicans,' worried that Lincoln's unflattering photographs would cost the party votes, suggested that he would be much approved in appearance, provided you would cultivate whiskers, and wear standing collars." (Lincoln, p.258). The idea of the whiskers--popular with a good many men of distinction at the time--was seconded in a famous exchange of letters with an 11-year-old girl, Grace Bedell, who agreed with the 'True Republicans' that with a beard "you would look a good deal better for your face is so thin." Besides, "all the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you," Grace predicted, "and then you would be President." Replying to her delightful advice, Lincoln worried that "people would call it a piece of silly affectation if I were to begin it now?" In spite of his reservations, though, he did let his whiskers grow, and German's fine photograph is the first portrait of Lincoln in full beard. The Lincoln in this image is serious, somewhat introspective, distant and with a tinge of the somber. For good reasons: he was already immersed in the fraught and sensitive task of selecting a Cabinet to join him in office. And he, along with the rest of the nation, had followed the ominous news of southern rebellion: already, before his inauguration, South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana had formally seceded from the Union. "All eyes now turned to Springfield," Donald observes, "where an inexperienced leader with a limited personal acquaintance among his own party groped his way...to formulate a policy for his new administration" (Donald, p.257). On 11 February 1861, two weeks after inscribing this portrait, the fully bearded President-elect bid an emotional farewell to his Springfield neighbors and boarded the train that was to take him eastward to assume the Presidency of a dangerously divided nation.
LINCOLN, Abraham (1809-1865). GERMAN, C.S. photographer. Large oval photograph portrait signed and dated ("A. Lincoln, January 26 1861 Springfield, Ill."). Taken in Springfield, Illinois probably on Sunday 13 or 26 January 1861.
LINCOLN, Abraham (1809-1865). GERMAN, C.S. photographer. Large oval photograph portrait signed and dated ("A. Lincoln, January 26 1861 Springfield, Ill."). Taken in Springfield, Illinois probably on Sunday 13 or 26 January 1861. Albumen salt-print portrait. Photograph: 8 x 6 in., 9 ¾ x 7 3/4in. including heavy card mount. A few spots along lower edge and top right, otherwise in extremely good condition, Lincoln's ink inscription dark and very clear. Hamilton & Ostendorf, Lincoln in Photographs, O-42. THE FIRST PORTRAIT OF LINCOLN IN FULL BEARD, INSCRIBED TWO WEEKS BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE FROM SPRINGFIELD TO ASSUME THE PRESIDENCY AND FACE THE SECESSION CRISIS Thomas D. Jones, a sculptor, accompanied Lincoln to a local photographer, "to pose him for some pictures he desired to present to a very dear friend" (quoted by Hamilton & Ostendorf, p.68). On a Sunday in January the two visited the studio of C. S. German, styled the "National Gallery" in downtown Springfield. The resulting images (Hamilton and Ostendorf 41 and 42) are superbly detailed depictions of the newly elected president. at a critical point in his life and political career. "Visitors did not know what to make of this President-elect," David Herbert Donald writes, "He surprised even his old friends by growing a beard. During the campaign some New York 'True Republicans,' worried that Lincoln's unflattering photographs would cost the party votes, suggested that he would be much approved in appearance, provided you would cultivate whiskers, and wear standing collars." (Lincoln, p.258). The idea of the whiskers--popular with a good many men of distinction at the time--was seconded in a famous exchange of letters with an 11-year-old girl, Grace Bedell, who agreed with the 'True Republicans' that with a beard "you would look a good deal better for your face is so thin." Besides, "all the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you," Grace predicted, "and then you would be President." Replying to her delightful advice, Lincoln worried that "people would call it a piece of silly affectation if I were to begin it now?" In spite of his reservations, though, he did let his whiskers grow, and German's fine photograph is the first portrait of Lincoln in full beard. The Lincoln in this image is serious, somewhat introspective, distant and with a tinge of the somber. For good reasons: he was already immersed in the fraught and sensitive task of selecting a Cabinet to join him in office. And he, along with the rest of the nation, had followed the ominous news of southern rebellion: already, before his inauguration, South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana had formally seceded from the Union. "All eyes now turned to Springfield," Donald observes, "where an inexperienced leader with a limited personal acquaintance among his own party groped his way...to formulate a policy for his new administration" (Donald, p.257). On 11 February 1861, two weeks after inscribing this portrait, the fully bearded President-elect bid an emotional farewell to his Springfield neighbors and boarded the train that was to take him eastward to assume the Presidency of a dangerously divided nation.
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
