Carte-de-Visite Mourning Portrait – Deathbed of President Abraham Lincoln, c. 1865

Description:
This haunting carte-de-visite (CDV) depicts a dramatic and highly symbolic rendering of the deathbed scene of President Abraham Lincoln, following his assassination on April 14, 1865. The sepia-toned lithograph, popularized during the mourning period, shows Lincoln surrounded by notable Union generals, Cabinet members, and dignitaries—including Ulysses S. Grant, Edwin Stanton, and Secretary of War Gideon Welles—as well as a grieving Mary Todd Lincoln at his bedside. Measuring approximately 2.5" x 4", the image was mass-produced in the post-assassination era and served as a visual tribute to the fallen president. The CDV format, with rounded corners and albumen print mounted on cardstock, was standard for mid-19th century portraiture and collectibles.

Historical Context:
President Abraham Lincoln was mortally wounded by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1865, and died the following morning, April 15, in the Peterson House across the street. The real deathbed scene was more intimate than this stylized version suggests, with only a few individuals actually present. However, this image reflects the profound national grief and reverence felt for Lincoln, and it became one of the most iconic mourning prints of the era. The figures gathered in this idealized composition represent the leaders of the Union cause and the government Lincoln led through the Civil War, turning the image into a powerful symbol of unity, sacrifice, and presidential martyrdom.

Collector’s Insight:
CDVs like this were widely circulated in the aftermath of Lincoln’s assassination and hold significant historical and emotional weight. While not a photographic record of the actual moment, this print is a compelling piece of Civil War-era memorial art, embodying the deep reverence for Lincoln’s legacy. It remains a poignant and evocative artifact for collectors of Lincolniana, 19th-century photography, or American political history.