Abraham Lincoln: A Large George Clark Ambrotype from the 1860 Election....

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Abraham Lincoln: A Large George Clark Ambrotype from the 1860 Election. These large 2.375" portraits, in brass shell frame with campaign card insert on verso, were made in both pinback and pendant forms, and rank as perhaps the most sought after of Lincoln photographic campaign items. Top condition examples have sold several times for prices upwards of $30,000. Unfortunately, as a medium, the ambrotype was poorly suited to this application. Customarily ambrotypes were kept in protective cases. However, in this form, they were intended to be exposed and handled and as a result were vulnerable to breakage and moisture damage. The present example was clearly exposed to moisture, which has led to the loss of much of the printing on the card on verso. This moisture has also caused some flaking of the emulsion surface, visible through Lincoln's hair and down the right side of his head and into his right shoulder. There is also one small flake in the field to Lincoln's left, and another small area of flaking on his chin. Nonetheless, as the photo shows, Lincoln's portrait is strong and largely intact, leaving this an eminently displayable, if less than flawless example. Pin missing from reverse.