Rare, significant photographic image of Abraham Lincoln will headline University Archives' online-only auction, April 23rd

WILTON, Conn. - April 7, 2025 - PRLog -- On Wednesday, April 23^rd, auction house University Archives will present an extraordinary artifact: a photographic image of President Abraham Lincoln, created circa 1895-1900 by George B. Ayres (1829-1905) using Alexander Hesler's (1823-1895) original 1860 collodion negative of Portrait Sitting No. 2. Objects of this profound historical consequence and rare visual immediacy rarely come to auction.

"The interpositive - a silver gelatin positive transparency on glass - represents perhaps the most vivid and lifelike photographic likeness of Lincoln ever produced," said John Reznikoff, the president and owner of University Archives. "It is offered in time for the 160th anniversary of Lincoln's assassination, in 1865, and will be the star lot in an auction featuring items signed by other U.S. presidents, in addition to many other luminaries throughout history."

Here is a link to the interpositive on the University Archives website: https://www.universityarchives.com/auction-lot/best-image-of-abraham-lincoln-closest...-to-'seei_05a4e26847. It is the headliner lot in the online-only Rare Autographs, Books & Photos auction, beginning at 10am Eastern time. Internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable., Auctionzip.com and UniversityArchives.com.

Abraham Lincoln is reputed to have said of the photograph: "That looks better and expresses me better than any I have ever seen; if it pleases the people I am satisfied." Lincoln's law partner, W.H. Herndon, said of the portrait that "no other artist has ever caught it," referring to Lincoln's special essence.

The interpositive is accompanied by extensive paperwork and carries a pre-sale estimate of $800,000-$1 million. Interested parties are encouraged to get in touch with John Reznikoff at University Archives, either by phone (203-454-0111); or via email, at john@universityarchives.com.

Here is a link to the April 23^rd auction catalog on the University Archives website: https://www.universityarchives.com/auction-catalog/rare-autographs-books-photos-abraham-lincoln-coll_DU5FC9TF63?scrollPosition=05a4e26847&algoliaParam=upcoming_lots_lotNumber_asc_prod%255Bpage%255D%3D2