Mathew Brady's Gallery of Illustrious Americans 

Brady, Mathew B. The Gallery of Illustrious Americans, Containing the Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Twenty-four of the Most Eminent Citizens of the American Republic, Since the Death of Washington. From Daguerreotypes by Brady – Engraved by D’Avignon. Lester, C. Edwards, ed. New York: M.B. Brady, F. d’Avignon, C. Edwards Lester, 1850. Elephant folio, green cloth boards with gilt front, blindstamped design on back boards, gilt page edges. Title page; salutation leaf; nine large lithograph portraits on heavy paper, all but one with a tissue protective leaf, many with d’Avignon’s blindstamp, and one- or two-page biography of the person: Zachary Taylor, John C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster, Silas Wright, John C. Fremont, William H. Prescott, Winfield Scott, Millard Fillmore, William E. Channing. Originally issued with twelve lithograph portraits, this example is missing portraits as well as the accompanying biographies of Henry Clay, John James Audubon, and Lewis Cass. Also missing Index.

A scarce and extremely important work in the history of photography in America. The volume features lithographs that were based on Brady’s daguerreotype portraits of prominent political figures. The lithographs were created by transferring the images secured with the camera onto the heavy paper. Despite certain transformations that could occur during the process of copying, a portrait based on a daguerreotype had substantial appeal because it was perceived as providing a more natural representation of the sitter. Brady’s ambitious plan was to issue these portraits semi-monthly for two years for $1 each, or $20 for the set of 24. For those who paid in advance, a portfolio was included in which to house the portraits. It is estimated that only about 50 portfolio sets were sold. Having paid d’Avignon $100 each to engrave the portraits, Brady needed to recover some of his costs. The first 12 completed portraits were bound into volumes from the remaining prints, although it is unknown how many of these bound volumes were produced. Brady announced his intention to include in the next dozen: Dewitt Clinton, Washington Irving, James Kent; the others were not revealed (maybe not decided?).

Many see this group of portraits as representing the peak of Brady’s career. Even though he went on to photograph 18 Presidents and Generals on both sides, as well as soldiers in the field, these images mark the beginnings of photographic portraiture in America by one of the masters of the art.

Originally issued with twelve lithograph portraits, this example is missing portraits as well as the accompanying biographies of Henry Clay, John James Audubon, and Lewis Cass. Also missing Index. Front and back covers completely separated from spine, but unlike many "survivors," the boards are present. Corner and edge wear to covers. With 8pp separated from spine. Scattered spotting throughout volume. Creases in Tissue guards.