Title:
Rare Edgar Allan Poe CDV Photograph – Circa 1861 Albumen Print by Mathew Brady, Published by E. Anthony

Description:
Offered here is an exceptionally rare carte-de-visite (CDV) portrait of Edgar Allan Poe, rendered as an albumen print mounted on period photographer’s card stock with a dark mauve border. Measuring approximately 4" x 2 ½", the photograph features a bust-length, oval-format image of Poe, from the famed work of Mathew B. Brady, the most prominent American photographer of the 19th century.

Below the image, within the photographic plate, are the printed inscriptions: “Brady,” “N.Y.,” and “Edgar A. Poe,” in delicate script. Along the lower edge of the mount is the imprint:

"Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1861, by M.B. Brady, in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the U.S. for the So. District of New-York."

The reverse of the mount is printed with ornate typography and an engraved illustration of the multi-story E. Anthony studio located at 501 Broadway, New York, and includes the publishing line:

"From Photographic Negative in Brady’s National Portrait Gallery."

There are minor signs of age and handling, including a faint crease in the photographic area, but overall the piece remains well-preserved, with its original mount and rich tonality.

Historical Context:
This circa 1861 photographic artifact holds immense historical and cultural value. Although Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849) died more than a decade before the advent of widespread commercial photography, his fame only grew posthumously. This CDV is derived from an earlier daguerreotype portrait, believed to have been taken around 1848, and reproduced by Mathew Brady, who included it in his National Portrait Gallery series.

Brady’s studio, through publisher E. Anthony, played a key role in preserving and circulating photographic likenesses of American icons during the Civil War era. The production of this CDV not only served to satisfy a growing Victorian appetite for collecting celebrity and literary portraits, but also contributed to the emerging visual legacy of one of America's most enigmatic literary figures. Poe—famed for The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, and The Fall of the House of Usher—was already a mythic figure by the early 1860s, his tragic death and gothic writings capturing the public imagination.

Authentication & Encapsulation:
N/A

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:
This CDV of Edgar Allan Poe, issued over a decade after his death, represents one of the earliest and most recognizable photographic portraits of the author ever produced. With its direct connection to Mathew Brady and E. Anthony, this is not only a compelling piece for literary collectors, but also for those interested in early American photography. A rare opportunity to own a haunting likeness of the master of macabre, captured in the medium that helped define 19th-century celebrity.

Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.