Rare original 2.5 x 4 carte-de-visite portrait of Confederate General Robert E. Lee in a full-length pose, dressed in his military uniform, with his DeVisme presentation sword (given to him by the ladies of Baltimore) in one hand and his gloves in the other, signed neatly in ink, “R. E. Lee.” Published in 1864 by Vannerson & Jones of Richmond, Virginia. Archivally mounted and framed to an overall size of 9 x 10.5. In fine condition, with a few light creases.
Of the eight photographs of Lee known to have been taken during the Civil War, the present is the only full-standing portrait. ‘The standing view is especially notable in that Lee is wearing both his military sash and his dress sword—the only time he was ever photographed in his sash’ (Meredith, The Face of Robert E. Lee, p. 40). An impressive image of Lee that dates before the start of Grant's bloody spring offensive in 1864.
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