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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.
Signed Photo (“A. Lincoln”), as President-Elect, being a carte-de-visite, [Washington D.C.,] Hamilton & Ostendorf, O-49B . With an Autograph Note Signed on verso, in the hand of John Hay. No place or date.
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