The inscription confirms Lincoln donated the signed portrait to support Union soldiers’ families during the Civil War.
Some historical treasures spend decades behind glass, carefully catalogued and admired. Others wait quietly in forgotten corners of family homes, their significance hidden until an unexpected discovery brings the past back to life.
A signed photograph of Abraham Lincoln followed the latter path, surviving for generations in a Massachusetts family before emerging with an old newspaper clipping that helped establish its remarkable history. The portrait eventually sold at auction for $149,020, states an auction report by RR Auction.
A photograph with a wartime purpose
According to the auction report, the photograph, known as Lincoln's Penny Profile, captures the 16th US president in a right-facing profile.
Measuring 2.25 by 4 inches, the carte-de-visite portrait was taken on February 9, 1864, by Anthony Berger at Mathew Brady's photographic studio in Washington.The image became one of Lincoln's most recognisable likenesses and later served as the principal photographic reference for Victor David Brenner's design of the Lincoln cent. The same photographic sitting also produced the portrait that would eventually be adapted for the five-dollar bill.
This particular example carries an additional distinction: Lincoln's signature appears in ink at the bottom, while an inscription on the reverse records its original purpose, adds the description of the portrait.
Supporting Union soldiers' families
As per the report, in December 1864, as the American Civil War continued, Lincoln contributed six signed photographic portraits to the Soldiers' Aid Society of Westford, Massachusetts. The photographs were intended for sale at a fundraising event held on December 14, with proceeds supporting the families of local Union soldiers.Unable to provide federal funds directly to the organisation, Lincoln offered something of personal and historical value instead. The signed portraits became part of an effort to raise money for those bearing the cost of the war at home.The inscription on the reverse of the photograph confirms its connection to the Westford benefit, making it more than a presidential portrait. It is a surviving record of a wartime charitable initiative, adds the online report.
A forgotten clipping reveals its history
As per the description, the photograph is believed to have been acquired at the fundraising event by Charles G. Sargent, a prominent Westford industrialist and civic leader. It subsequently passed to his son, Allan C. Sargent, who was known for his preservation work and involvement in historical organisations.The portrait remained within the family for roughly a century before its significance was brought back into focus.
An accompanying newspaper clipping from 1924 documented Lincoln's donation of the six photographs and affirmed the authenticity of his signature, adds the report.The clipping was discovered at the back of an old frame when the photograph resurfaced in a desk, providing a valuable link between the object and its original purpose.
A rare piece of American history
The photograph, presented in very good to fine condition with minor signs of age, was authenticated by PSA/DNA and accompanied by documentation detailing its provenance. Its eventual sale for $149,020 reflects the appeal of an object that combines presidential history, photographic significance and a documented connection to Civil War-era philanthropy.
Images Courtesy: RR Auction