Abraham Lincoln Signed Photo from First Washington Sitting, With John Hay Note of Authentication

Background

One day after sneaking into Washington from Baltimore under cover of darkness, Lincoln, exhausted and pensive, sits as president-elect for this photo - his first taken in Washington - by Alexander Gardner at Mathew Brady’s studio.

John Hay, Lincoln’s young Assistant Presidential Secretary - who himself went on to become a statesman - wrote a major biography of Lincoln, and was, during his long life, a much respected Lincoln expert: here, on the verso of the signed image, he authenticates Lincoln's signature.