Abraham Lincoln historical photographs sold or recovered

Two significant historical photographs of Abraham Lincoln have recently made headlines. An autographed portrait from February 1864, known as the ‘Penny Profile’, was sold at auction for $149,020. The image, captured by photographer Anthony Berger, was discovered in a desk in Massachusetts. Its historical value is enhanced by a handwritten note on the back indicating Lincoln donated the portrait to the Soldiers’ Aid Society in Westford, Massachusetts, to assist families of Union soldiers during the American Civil War.

Separately, the original 1858 ‘Peoria Portrait’—an ambrotype of a young, beardless Lincoln—has been returned to its city of origin. The glass-based photograph had an unknown location until rare document expert Seth Kaller located it at an East Coast exhibit. After being confirmed as the original by Lincoln scholars, the image was acquired through donations to the Peoria Riverfront Museum, where it will be permanently housed.