Abraham Lincoln Iconic Portrait After Hesler by George B. Ayres

The iconic photograph of a beardless Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), future 16th U.S. President, originally taken on June 3, 1860 by Chicago photographer Alexander Hesler (1823-1895), who sold some of his original glass negatives to Philadelphia photographer George B. Ayres in 1867. Ayres discretely retouched Hesler's original negatives in order to correct wear or damage, and started selling them after 1881 and until his death in 1905. The black and white matte photo is adhered to a thick chipboard mount. "Copyright / Geo. B. Ayres / Phila" is inscribed verso, as is a name, possibly "CV Pohlson," in pencil. Expected wear to the photo surface including a few scattered minor scuffs and isolated foxing, else near fine. Discoloration from mat burn and mounting traces can be found along the edges verso. Print Approx. 7.25" x 9", the original frame is Approx. 10.5" x 9".

Alexander Hesler had photographed four views of Abraham Lincoln in a single sitting on June 3, 1860 in Springfield, Illinois. Lincoln had recently been nominated as presidential candidate at the Republican National Convention held in Chicago two weeks earlier, on May 18, 1860. Of the 36 extant photographs of Lincoln taken before assuming the presidency, ca. 1846/1847- February 1861, Hesler's portraits are some of the best known. They were praised by Lincoln himself, who is quoted as saying, "Well, that looks right, and expresses me better than any I have seen." Hesler's portraits were prized not only for accurately documenting Lincoln's dominant physical features, but also for capturing the spirit, or essence, of the aspiring politician.

This portrait is from Hesler's "Negative No. 1," which Ayres describes in a contemporary promotional pamphlet as representing "Mr. Lincoln's face almost in profile. The pose is most happily chosen as showing his peculiar facial characteristics--the full, high forehead and its wealth of hair, the shaggy eyebrows, 'the lone mole,' the hollow check and massive jaw, the lip awry, --and above all, the sculpturesque nose, beautifully defined against the background."

Ayres proudly recounted how his purchase of Hesler's original Lincoln negatives in 1867 safeguarded them from almost certain destruction in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Sadly, the negatives could not escape accidental damage: they were broken in the mail in 1933.

This lot is located in Boca Raton, Fl and its shipment will be made directly by Artelisted. Shipping insurance is the responsibility of the buyer. Ask us if you want to add insurance cost. Note that if there is loss or damage due to bad handling by the transporter, this loss will be assumed only by the buyer. Enquires are welcome, do not hesitate to contact us at your convenience, we are looking to providing you with an excellent service.

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