Abraham Lincoln: Albumen by George Ayres from Alexander Hesler Negative. A large-format photographic portrait of Abraham Lincoln printed by George Ayres after the celebrated 1860 negative by Alexander Hesler of Chicago. Hesler, a commercial photographer, conducted two portrait sessions with Lincoln, first in 1858 and again in 1860. The earlier sitting presented the presidential candidate with a characteristically messy and disordered appearance; Hesler remedied this in the later sitting, capturing instead a matured, well-groomed politician, as part of the first presidential election campaign to employ photography. It has since become one of the most reproduced portraits of Lincoln, and is often considered—including by Lincoln himself—the best. Framed, 19 x 7/8 x 17"; sight 15 x 5/8 x 12 3/4". 

Light wear and even toning, else fine with excellent detail.