Two choice carte-de-visite photos: A striking 2.5 x 4 carte-de-visite bust portrait of Grant, by an anonymous studio circa late 1860s, signed at the bottom of the image in black ink; and an original 2.25 x 4 carte-de-visite photo of Lee by Vannerson and Jones of Richmond, Virginia, taken near the close of the Civil War, signed below the image in black ink, “R. E. Lee.” Gorgeously triple-cloth-matted and framed with engraved nameplates to an overall size of 18.5 x 17. In overall fine condition. The Lee photo is also signed and inscribed on the reverse in black ink by Lee, “For Mrs. Elvira Manson, REL,” though now not visible due to framing. Nearly all Grant cartes-de-visite we see depict him in uniform; with his formal attire and closely-cropped beard, this apparently pre-presidential portrait is highly unusual. Lee is also quite elusive in signed portraits from any period. An especially appealing pairing of the highest quality. RR Auction COA.
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