Abraham Lincoln Related
(February 1864) Anthony Berger “Abraham Lincoln” Photo
(February 9, 1864) Cabinet Card Photograph of Abraham Lincoln by Anthony Berger at Brady’s Washington Gallery, Very Fine.
This photo of President Abraham Lincoln was taken by Anthony Berger at [Mathew] Brady's Washington Gallery. The photo is from an original "Brady Collection" negative, and was taken Feb. 9, 1864 and measures approximately 6.75” x 4.625”. This photo (M-85, O-92) was taken at the same time as the photo that is used on the $5 bill (O-91), the pose being only slightly different. This photo has some minor surface blemishes, with some surface emulsion eaten away along lower edge area and some removable prior paper hinge tape across the reverse top edge.

Noted written upon the blank verso is: "Handy Photo / Wash D.C." Levin C. Handy (c. 1855-1932) was apprenticed at the age of twelve to his very famous uncle, Mathew B. Brady (1823-1896)! The notation reads, in full: “From original negative “Brady Collection” taken a few weeks before Mr. Lincoln’s death. - Used on currency.” ---- “Handy Photo - Wash D.C.”. A truly remarkable and important Photographic example of Abraham Lincoln and the very first we have ever encountered.
Mathew B.Brady (1823-1896) was an American photographer best known for his photographic chronicle of the Civil War. He learned to make daguerreotypes from Samuel F.B. Morse. In 1844 he opened the first of two studios in New York City and began photographing famous people, including Daniel Webster, Edgar Allan Poe, and Henry Clay. In 1847 he opened a studio in Washington, D.C., and there created, copied, and collected portraits of American presidents.

He achieved international fame with his “Gallery of Illustrious Americans” (1850). In 1861 he set out to make a complete record of the American Civil War with a staff of more than 20 photographers, including Timothy H. O'Sullivan and Alexander Gardner. He probably photographed the battles of Bull Run, Antietam, and Gettysburg himself.