(1842-1867) American pharmacist and John Wilkes Booth’s accomplice in the Lincoln assassination. He was, in fact, deeply involved in a wider conspiracy that had targeted not only the President, but the Vice President and other top government officials. Confederate spy John Surratt introduced the 23-year-old Herold to Booth. According to some historians, Herold’s original role in the plot was to guide fellow conspirator Lewis T. Powell to Secretary of State William Seward’s home and then flee; however no proof exists that this indeed was his role. Regardless, Herold went with Powell to Seward’s home but allegedly fled for Maryland without Powell when he heard screams and the ensuing commotion. He remained with Booth during the 12-day manhunt into Maryland and Virginia to meet Mary Surratt, John Surratt’s mother, and until he and Booth were cornered by Union troops in the tobacco barn of Garrett’s Farm. Herold surrendered and was brought back to Washington for trial. Interestingly, Herold was described as simple-minded during the trial; however this ruse was cleverly crafted by Herold himself in the attempt to show that he was easily manipulated by Booth. Despite his best efforts at playing the dullard, the Georgetown-educated David Herold was convicted and hanged July 7, 1865, along with Lewis Powell, Mary Surratt, and George Atzerodt. Offered here is an excessively rare carte-de-visite of Herold, showing the conspirator in head and shoulders, with name printed at bottom. No photographer’s backstamp. One corner of emulsion loss at top right, otherwise in very good condition and a must for the serious collection of Lincolniana!