Group of 15 albumen print cartes de visite on cardstock mounts, depicting major American political, literary, abolitionist, and cultural figures of the Civil War era. Bearing prominent publisher imprints including E. & H.T. Anthony (primarily from photographic negatives by Mathew Brady), S.M. Fassett of Chicago, and A. Hesler of Chicago, most with contemporary pencil identifications to recto or verso. Ca. 1861 - 1865. Each approx. 2 1/2 x 4 in.

An outstanding cross-section of mid-19th-century American civic life, literature, and popular entertainment assembled during the Civil War. The lot includes:

1. Secretary of State William H. Seward: Bust portrait of Lincoln's Secretary of State, published by Anthony from a Brady negative.

2. Senator Charles Sumner: Full standing studio portrait of the Massachusetts abolitionist leader and senator.

3. General Tom Thumb Wedding Party: Celebrated 1863 group likeness showing Charles Stratton ("General Tom Thumb"), his bride Lavinia Warren Stratton, Commodore Nutt, and Minnie Warren in formal wedding attire, published by Anthony from a Brady negative with printed facsimile inscription to verso.

4 .Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Seated profile portrait of the iconic poet with full white beard.

5. Anna Elizabeth Dickinson: Vignette bust portrait of the famed orator, abolitionist, and women's rights advocate, photographed by S.M. Fassett of Chicago.

6. Henry Ward Beecher: Dramatic vignette bust portrait of the prominent Brooklyn abolitionist preacher.

7. Kate Chase: Full-length studio portrait of the influential political hostess and daughter of Salmon P. Chase, shown in an elaborate crinoline gown.

8. Governor John A. Andrew of Masachusetts. 

9. Governor Richard Yates of Illinois.

10. Naturalist Louis Agassiz. 

11. Traveler and author Bayard Taylor. 

12.  Temperance orator John B. Gough.

13.  Diplomat Charles Francis Adams. 

14. Rev. Dr. Nehemiah Adams, a prominent and controversial Boston Congregational clergyman

15.  "Bishop Burgess." This csrte depicts an Episcopal bishop, likely George Burgess (first Episcopal Bishop of Maine) or his brother Alexander Burgess (later first Bishop of Quincy), shown wearing clerical vestments.

Representing the intellectual, political, and cultural epicenter of Northern society during the Civil War, this gallery unites the key voices who steered the Union through its greatest trial alongside the era's most famous public celebrities.

[Civil War, Abraham Lincoln Cabinet, William H. Seward, Charles Sumner, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, General Tom Thumb, P.T. Barnum, Lavinia Warren, Anna Dickinson, Henry Ward Beecher, Kate Chase, John A. Andrew, Louis Agassiz, Mathew Brady, E. & H.T. Anthony, Cartes de Visite, CDV, 1860s Photography]

Very good condition overall. Prints exhibit strong contrast and rich tones, with minor handling wear, and scattered faint foxing to mounts consistent with age.