Abraham Lincoln Carte-de-Visite by J.W. Winder & Co. – Based on the $5 Bill Portrait – Cincinnati, Ohio, c. 1860s

Description:
This original carte-de-visite (CDV) features a printed portrait of President Abraham Lincoln, presented in an oval vignette format. The image is based on the iconic 1864 photograph taken by Mathew Brady, which served as the model for Lincoln’s portrait on the modern U.S. $5 bill. It shows Lincoln in a dignified three-quarter view, wearing his characteristic dark suit and bow tie, with a solemn and resolute expression. The reverse bears the imprint of J.W. Winder & Co., National Art Palace, Cincinnati, along with the credit M. Carpenter, Army Photographer, Dept. Cumberland, connecting this example to a Union-affiliated photographic studio. Standard CDV size, approximately 2.5" x 4", with light age toning consistent with its era.

Historical Context:
This image originates from one of the last photo sessions Abraham Lincoln sat for during his lifetime. Taken in early 1864 by Mathew Brady, the photograph captured the president in the midst of the Civil War, and it would go on to become one of the most reproduced and revered likenesses of Lincoln. Its lasting influence is cemented by its use on the modern $5 Federal Reserve Note, making it perhaps the most recognizable depiction of Lincoln ever produced. During the Civil War, such CDVs served both as personal keepsakes and patriotic tokens for a grieving, divided nation.

Collector’s Insight:
An evocative relic of Lincoln iconography, this CDV connects directly to the most enduring image of the 16th president. With its origin in a Union-affiliated photographic studio and its ties to the $5 bill portrait, it represents a rich convergence of Civil War memory, presidential legacy, and American visual culture. A valuable addition for collectors of Lincolniana, Civil War-era photography, or numismatic history.