Abraham Lincoln Related
Abraham Lincoln Portrait After Hesler by George B Ayres Signed on its Reverse Side "Copyright Geo. B. Ayres Phila"
c. 1881, Beardless Abraham Lincoln Photograph from Alexander Hesler's Original Negative, this classic photograph is adhered to a thicker solid cardboard mount as usual, with "Copyright Geo. B. Ayres Phila" being fully inscribed and boldly Signed on its blank reverse, Fine.
Chicago photographer Alexander Hesler took four photographs of Presidential Candidate Abraham Lincoln on June 30, 1860. This 3/4 Lincoln Profile pose being one of them, known as O-26 in the definitive Lincoln photograph reference book, "Lincoln in Photographs" by Lloyd Ostendorf. After the Civil War George B. Ayres purchased Hesler's negatives, and in 1881 printed Photographs of Lincoln directly from those negatives, this being one of those images.
In 1933 the original glass plate negatives were broken while being shipped to Washington, D.C., and they now reside in the Smithsonian Institution. The image measures about 8.75" tall x 7" wide, with what looks to be the original 19th Century frame. In addition, George Ayres has also signed his name on the back of the mount in ink, "Copyright Geo. B. Ayres Phila.". The detail, contrast and tone of Lincoln's image at center are clear with nice tonality. The Photo is currently housed separate from its frame for better preservation. There are some photographic imperfections in the negative, as made, as well as some minor extreme outer edge wear from prior framing. One fine pinscrape and a small .5" edge crack remains intact at the upper right which appears worthy of conservation. The reverse of the mount has some humidity tone and age from being framed, while the important Signed "Copyright Geo. B. Ayres Phila." at upper center appears crisp and well presented.
This same pose sold in a Christie's Sale #2395, October 2010 realizing $5,625.00. EAHA also previously sold similar examples for between $3,600 to $6,000 over two decades ago in 2001 and 2002. This image is also seen illustrated as held in the collection of the Library of Congress. An opportunity to acquire a true Photograph of beardless Presidential Candidate Abraham Lincoln, an important rarity for any collection.