Robert Edward Lee was a career army officer and the most successful general of the Confederate forces during the American Civil War. He eventually commanded all Confederate armies as general-in-chief. Like Hannibal earlier and Erwin Rommel later, his victories against superior forces in an ultimately losing cause won him enduring fame. After the war, he urged sectional reconciliation, and spent his final years as president of the college that would come to bear his name, Washington and Lee University. Sepia-colored 2.25 x 4 subtly hand-tinted Vannerson & Jones, Richmond, Virginia, carte-de-visite bust portrait of Lee, taken in 1863 by Julian Vannerson. Lee is depicted in his military uniform and bow tie, signed “R.E. Lee” in ink beneath the image. In very good condition, with overall light soiling, the signature a bit faded in places, slightly rounded corners, and adhesive residue from a previous mounting on the reverse. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
