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Exceptional original 2.25 x 4 carte-de-visite portrait of Abraham Lincoln in right-facing profile, boldly signed at the bottom in ink, “A. Lincoln.” Published by Brady’s National Photographic Portrait Galleries of New York and Washington, the mount bears a remarkable contemporary inscription on the reverse: “Contributed for the benefit of the S. A. So. of Westford Ma. at their levee Dec. 14th 1864 by Pres. Lincoln.” In very good to fine condition, with clipped corners, a small stain to the mount, and an old inventory label to the reverse. Encapsulated in a PSA/DNA authentication holder.
This celebrated profile, commonly known as Lincoln’s 'Penny Profile,' was taken on February 9, 1864, by Anthony Berger of Mathew Brady’s Washington studio. One of Lincoln’s most recognizable likenesses, it later served as the principal photographic source for Victor David Brenner’s design of the Lincoln cent; during the same sitting, Berger also made the portrait eventually adapted for the five-dollar bill.
According to contemporary local accounts, this was one of six autographed portraits donated by President Lincoln to benefit the Soldiers’ Aid Society of Westford, Massachusetts. Unable to provide federal funds directly, Lincoln instead supplied signed photographs to be sold at the society’s fundraising levee on December 14, 1864, supporting the families of local Union soldiers.
An accompanying period newspaper clipping from 1924 documents Lincoln's donation of six CDVs, noting that Lincoln's signature was “not a facsimile, but the Great Emancipator’s own handwriting.” This example is believed to have been acquired at the benefit by prominent Westford industrialist and civic leader Charles G. Sargent, then passed to his son Allan C. Sargent, a noted preservationist and member of several historical and patriotic organizations. It remained quietly preserved within the family for roughly another century before being rediscovered in an old desk, its significance revealed when the newspaper clipping fell from the back of its frame. Also accompanied by a detailed statement of provenance from descendant John Sargent French.
