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. Excellent 2.5 x 4.25 carte-de-visite portrait by Boude & Miley of Lexington, Virgina, an image from life taken by Matthew Brady in May of 1869 in Washington, D.C., when Lee visited U. S. Grant at the White House, which porved to be Lee and Grant’s last meeting, as well as Brady’s last portrait of Lee, extremely boldly signed in black ink, “R. E. Lee.” In fine condition, with small crease to right border, and a few trivial surface marks, mentioned for accuracy only. An impressive example of one of the most coveted (and colorful) of Civil War personalities, with a dark, perfect signature! Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
