^Lot 4252 RARE WARTIME ALBUMIN PHOTOGRAPH OF ROBERT E LEE.

6" x 4" albumin with 4.75" x 3.5" oval profile of Lee in uniform with lapel tucked under button showing coat was probably new and lapel would not stay flat. This image was taken by Minnis & Cowell, Richmond circa late 1862 and images from original negative are rare with the crisp detail as seen here, especially in larger format. This is an early large-format portrait of Lee "copied in a greater variety of forms and elaborations than any other. It was undoubtedly the first one taken after the war opened, and it became available at a time when the press and public were hungry for a contemporary likeness of General Lee." Roy Meredith, The Face of Robert E. Lee, page 31, 1947. CONDITION: fine overall as mounted on trimmed 7" x 6" board. PROVENANCE: Joseph Laico Collection; Christies lot 187, May 12, 1999. (02-25025-80/JS). NON-GUN. $800-1,200.