A rare photograph showing a beardless Abraham Lincoln is to star in an upcoming New York auction of historic daguerreotypes and modern photography on October 3-4.
 “That looks better and expresses me better than any I have ever seen" |
The rare image is a one-fourth plate daguerreotype of Lincoln, which has been reversed from the original taken by Alexander Hesler. Originally shot on June 3, 1860 at the Capitol Building in Springfield, Illinois, it came just two weeks after Lincoln's nomination at the Republican National Convention in Chicago.
Lincoln is known to have said of the portraits: "That looks better and expresses me better than any I have ever seen; if it pleases the people I am satisfied."
Negatives of the images from the shoot survive in the Smithsonian Institution, though many of them are now shattered. The example at auction will sell with a $7,000-9,000 estimate.
Following will be another daguerreotype of Lincoln, this time taken by T S Hacker. A rare outdoor shot, it shows the president in front of the State House at the flag raising, and is dated February 22, 1861. This image is expected to bring $5,500-7,500.
The top lot of the sale will be provided by a fantastic portfolio of 11 vintage photographs from Walker Evans, one of the greatest photographers of the early 20th century. He is best known for his images of the Great Depression, and this portfolio exemplifies them perfectly, with nine dust bowl-era photographs included. It will sell for $10,000-15,000.
Paul Fraser Collectibles is currently offering a truly unique item for Abraham Lincoln collectors - fragments of wallpaper from the bedroom of the only home he ever owned. Over at PFC Auctions, the latest sale includes a fantastic George Washington item, which features an authentic lock of his hair, his signature and a piece of his coat.
