Beschreibung:

An unpublished silhouette portrait of Abraham Lincoln. Drawing in India ink, on course, stiff paper, with inscription beneath profile portrait, Drawn from life by Capt. Ralph Chandler, at Richmond, Va., April 6, 1865. 3.375 x 5 in. (sight), 6.75 x 8 in. overall, housed in a contemporary frame with mat, on which is written a quotation from Lincoln's second Inaugural speech, Fondly do we hope - Fervently do we pray - that this mighty scourge of war, may we speedily pass away. March 4, 1865. A unique item, and quite possibly the last portrait made of President Lincoln from life, as eight days later, he was assassinated. Captain Ralph Chandler (1829-1889) was commander of the steamer Maumee, and served as such during the Fort Fisher campaign. By April, 1865, the Maumee was operating on the James River, and Chandler most likely had the opportunity at that time to draw Abraham Lincoln during his visit to Richmond. Photocopies of records from the National Archives in Washington, D.C., regarding Chandler's Naval service are included with this lot. The portrait is accompanied by the auction catalog in which the item was originally listed in 1920. The silhouette was presented as lot 276 in Stan V. Hankel's Great Autograph Sale, held in Philadelphia, July 1, 1920. The portrait was acquired from the collection of Daniel Huntington (1816-1906), a noted New York collector and painter who drew portraits of Lincoln and other presidents. A clipping of the printed auction description from another copy of Hankel's' catalog is also present. The consignor purchased the silhouette from the Abraham Lincoln Book Shop, Chicago, IL, and a letter from the shop authenticating the portrait is included as well. Condition: Mat and paper have yellowed; ink is still rich, but with some white mottling; some wear along margins of mat.