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Photograph from the original negative, mounted on stiff card. Approximately 9½x7½". "Copyright Geo. B. Ayres, Phila." in manuscript on verso.

Portrait of Abraham Lincoln taken in Springfield, Illinois by Alexander Hesler shortly after Lincoln's nomination for President at the Republican National Convention in Chicago, 1860. Though photographed by Hesler the present print (described in period advertisements as a platinum print) was published by George Ayres in Philadelphia sometime between 1881 and about 1901. Ayres had purchased the studio of Hesler and while sorting the negatives for recycling discovered two images of the then beardless future President. Ayres produced copies of these images from 1881 to about 1901. Also included is a letter from National Portrait Gallery, Curator of Photographs, Mary Panzer confirming that this is an Ayres printing from the original Hesler negative. Photocopies of Ayres advertisements for the Lincoln photographs also included.