[Abraham Lincoln, candidate for U.S. president. Half-length portrait, seated, facing front] (LOC)

Butler, Preston, photographer.

[Abraham Lincoln, candidate for U.S. president. Half-length portrait, seated, facing front]

[Springfield, Ill., 1860 Aug. 13]

1 photograph : ambrotype ; plate 5 3/4 x 4 1/2 in.

Notes:
 Thought to be the last beardless portrait of Lincoln, this photo was "made for the portrait painter, John Henry Brown, noted for his miniatures in ivory. ... 'There are so many hard lines in his face,' wrote Brown in his diary, 'that it becomes a mask to the inner man. His true character only shines out when in an animated conversation, or when telling an amusing tale. ... He is said to be a homely man; I do not think so.'" (Source: Ostendorf, p. 62)

Published in: Lincoln's photographs: a complete album / by Lloyd Ostendorf. Dayton, OH: Rockywood Press, 1998, p. 62-63.

Title devised by Library staff.
Gift; A. Conger Goodyear; 1965.

Subjects:
 Lincoln, Abraham--1809-1865.

Format: Portrait photographs--1860.
Ambrotypes--1860.

Rights Info: No known restrictions on publication.

Repository: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA, hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print

Persistent URL: hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3a10370

Call Number: LOT 12559, no. 3

Comments and faves

  1. ★

    panamaus, zeebo42, mr.jones, randomthursday, and 246 other people added this photo to their favorites.

  2. formerairline (47 months ago | reply)

    Wikipedia says Ambrotypes took 40-60 seconds to get a proper exposure. I don't think I could have kept completely still like in Abe's pose for that whole time.

  3. Cathie Stahl (47 months ago | reply)

    Preston Butler certainly captured the attitude and a *spark* of humor in those eyes...

  4. kparrish (47 months ago | reply)

    he looks so much younger here

  5. HanslH (47 months ago | reply)

    They sometimes say that in modern times Lincoln wouldn't stand a chance in presidential elections because of his looks. But he sure was aware that he should look statesman-like in a picture :)

    --
    Seen on your photo stream. (?)

  6. ncbeets (47 months ago | reply)

    Wow, he looks so much like Greg Malone, the Newfoundland actor/politician.
    www.heritage.nf.ca/arts/codcogroup_detail.htm l
    Greg is the man in the middle.

  7. Kurt Modler (47 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called La Belle Epoque ca.1890 - ca.1914 incl. ArtDeco and ArtNouveau, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  8. glix (47 months ago | reply)

    hawt

  9. Luigi Crespo Photography (47 months ago | reply)

    AWESOME SHOT ! Hi, I'm the GrandKnot for a group called Bow tie Elegance, and we'd love to add your bow tie to our collection.

  10. fw652830 (47 months ago | reply)

    Rarely do we see a more youthful face of Abraham Lincoln. Such as what we have in this instance.

  11. Whiskeygonebad (47 months ago | reply)

    The difficulty in photographing Mr. Lincoln is only bested by taking on the task of writing a biography on him.

  12. calumpat (47 months ago | reply)

    no beard.. he was such an inspiration

  13. Oláh, Gergely Máté (OGM) (47 months ago | reply)

    Handsome! :)

  14. brandonjpro.com (47 months ago | reply)

    very cool find..

  15. LastFreeMan.com (47 months ago | reply)

    He does look like Obama I see what all the hoolabaloo is about now thanks Internet!

  16. jennifer juniper [deleted] (47 months ago | reply)

    Snazzy!

  17. Jιℓℓ (47 months ago | reply)

    Amazing photo.
    He's so handsome.

  18. xtrarant (47 months ago | reply)

    People.. if you want to leave a comment, leave it in the COMMENTS. DOn't just stick a 'note' somewhere on the picture itself for your comment. That is maddening.

  19. elemenopea (47 months ago | reply)

    he was so handsome. haha. i always think there is somewhat an air of mystery to lincoln..

  20. candice kimchee (46 months ago | reply)

    Happy birthday

  21. Pegster22 (46 months ago | reply)

    He looks bored.............................

  22. kraftibyotch (46 months ago | reply)

    His eyes look intelligent, dignified and sad.

  23. kobilisdesign (46 months ago | reply)

    If only today's generation could have an ounce of his dignity, character and intelligence...

  24. FloridaFliss (45 months ago | reply)

    A truly great man... way ahead of his time...

  25. thechrisproject (44 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a portraiture group called Verities and Balderdash, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  26. Zmanphoto (43 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Tintypes, ambrotypes, Wet-plate Collodion photographs, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  27. spelledwithaph (37 months ago | reply)

    It is rare to see Lincoln without his famous beard.

  28. ambiance painting (31 months ago | reply)

    Lady Miss Louise.....Funny you say he looks like your dad,coincidently I was thinking the same for mine,and some of my brothers also LOL

  29. cudau.botcanh (30 months ago | reply)

    Nice pic!!!!!!!!!

  30. charlie1704 (24 months ago | reply)

    He is a fine gentleman of dignant and superb qualities. I can clearly see this in his eyes.

  31. tabbycat3t (16 months ago | reply)

    U can clearly see he suffered from Marfan's Syndrom...

  32. Apaleutos26 (14 months ago | reply)

    An important personality! His pose for that photograph and in general his body language in this significant photograph, reminds me of Obama.

  33. Giacomo47 (10 months ago | reply)

    I have never seen this photo before wow

  34. Grabaclue (3 months ago | reply)

    I have an original poster of this photo. Does anyone know what it might be worth? It has the name H.W. Rowland at the bottom right corner

  35. ambiance painting (3 months ago | reply)

    Posters aren`t worth much,probably a few bucks,but if you would have a carte de visite,they are worth anywhere from $10 to a few hundred,check out CDV`s on ebay,at the same time search to see if anyone else has the same poster,good luck !

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