lincoln family photo

Are you sure it is a photo? From the picture it looks like a painting or drawing postcard from the day.

Hello i am not sure if you received my last comment, i read not to long ago that abraham lincoln had the cassidy's keep their dog while they were living in the whitehouse, and that the lincoln's sent them a photo or a postcard of them all living in the whitehouse, so you might want to search information on the lincoln's family pet, which did not move to the white house with them, hope this helps,

Actually, I believe you have an old cabinet card photograph, that was done using the salt process.

The heavy card was soaked in a salt solution and laid in contact with the negative - usually in the sunlight - for about a half hour then fixed normally. This embeds the image into the paper, often causing confusion with how it was made.

It was popular and relatively cheap to make at the time it was taken (1800').

If you are interested in old photography, here is a starting point: http://www.rleggat.com/photohistory/process1.htm
Look at "salted prints" for details on what I believe this to be.

Garry

I have the same photograph except it's just Lincoln and his son. Did you find out anything about the value of this card? I also have one of just his wife.

Pricing is a tough call.

What reduces the price:

Cabinet cards are, by their nature, mass produced. So that tends to reduce the value as there are generally many around.

This one is also a bit rough in condition. Tears, Missing pieces, stains, foxing...

What increases the price:

It would appeal to Lincoln Memorabilia collectors. If you can tie into them, it would be worth more.

It is inscribed. If you can verify and write a history with it (provenance) it will significantly increase it's value. For example; compare the signature with known ones.

At best these are all over the map. Good quality cabinet cards go from $3 to literally, $300.

Sorry about being so vague, it's going to be a case of; put it in the auction and see.

Garry