I’m always intrigued whenever I come across images of Abraham Lincoln. There aren’t many I haven’t seen as his image has remained in the public eye on a regular basis throughout my life. Growing up, in our family photos there was a small image of Lincoln that was mixed in with a handful of early photos from my great-grandmother. I didn’t yet understand the place that Lincoln held in the heart of the American people and wondered why it was there. I actually felt more related to his image in that I at least recognized who he was which was something I couldn’t say for some of the folks in those old photos of people standing in front of what appears to be 1920’s automobiles in some totally unfamiliar rural farm setting . Maybe that’s why I am drawn to his image even now.
So when I come across an image that doesn’t seem familiar, I take notice. It’s part of trying to capture another part of the prism of the man, to fill him out as a human rather than as the icon he has become. The token shown above, obviously a souvenir from the 1860 campaign, is new to me. Lincoln is still youngish in appearance, not yet showing effects that the ravages of the weight of a nation at war would appear in later photos.
This photo on the right brings up questions. Why was his hair so wild? Would he not have been aware of that when he agreed to sit for the photo? It’s not like there was a paparazzi at that point snapping candid shots at every turn or a White House photographer documenting every moment. You had to more or less pose for most photos. But I like it. Again, it fills out the man. And it makes me feel a little better about my own crazy professor hair as I sit here.
There are a few more images below and some of them are a bit more familiar. The first one seems to be a shot from the same sitting as the wild-haired one above. Maybe the photographer noticed and offered up a comb. I don’t know. The second is from the War years and he has began to age. But it’s a noble and strong image with that steely look of determination staring directly into the camera. The last is an earlier image when he is obviously not as consumed by the tasks before him. But all are interesting in their own way and give us more insight into this most compelling character.
Redtree Times 
Paul has a print of a photograph of Lincoln’s mother. It is neat to see the resemblance between the two.
I’ll have to look that up. Thanks, Carol.
Full on photos of Lincoln do not seem to be as common as 3/4 or profile views (always of the right side). He may have been self conscious about the marked asymmetry of his face due to having been kicked in the face by a horse as a child. http://news.softpedia.com/news/Abraham-Lincoln-Had-a-Lopsided-Face-And-Strabismus-62674.shtml
In his presidency, he had a difficult row to hoe, as they say. I wonder what he would make of how history has lionized him.
I think he might be a little surprised but I think he was somewhat aware of the gravity of the events of that time and their implications for the future.
What a superb collection of images. There are a couple that are really appealing, including that vaguely Einstein-like appearance.
When I was in grade school, there were portraits of Washington and Lincoln in every classroom. Rather amazing to think of it now. I’m not certain, but I think the portrait of Lincoln I found in the one-room Fox School in Kansas is the same as the one I grew up with. I’ll have to check the photos.