WHAT: During this inauguration weekend, it should be interesting to view another swearing in on March 4, 1861. Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, took office amid a divided country and rumors of an assassination plot. The situation was tense; sharpshooters guarded the windows and roof of the Capitol as thousands gathered to witness the swearing-in.
Several photographers were on hand to document the event. A large salt print from that event, believed to be the only surviving one to hit auction, brought $27,500 in a late 2016 auction of early photographs and Lincoln memorabilia at Sothebyβs New York.
MORE: The photo is attributed to Alexander Gardner, 1821-1882, who at one point ran the Washington studio of photographer Matthew Brady. Known as a frequent photographer of Lincoln at this point in his life, Gardner had photographed Lincoln as president-elect.
SMART COLLECTORS KNOW: Determining exact photographers who took early photos of Lincoln is difficult. In 1861, several artists and at least three photographers attended the first inauguration to document the event.
HOT TIP: The photo is a large salt print, remarkable for the long shot and amount of detail captured. This view of a historic scene is unique as it documents particulars including wooden scaffolding at the Capitol dome.
BOTTOM LINE: In its search for attribution to Gardner, the auction house studied archives and consulted varied specialists, including historians and a former curator at the National Portrait Gallery.
MORE: How smart is this? To hype attention for Sothebyβs 2017 Americana Week auctions that happened over this weekend, including a family archive of letters and manuscripts from/by Alexander Hamilton, the house featured a media session highlighting the set designer for βHamiltonβ the musical, along with members of the company. Public viewing featured auction lots staged on floors of the auction house.
