A lot of two individual cartes de visite documenting the early frontier origins and the iconic photographic portraits of President Abraham Lincoln, ca. 1865. One card features a comprehensive narrative backmark tracking an historic exhibition at the 1865 Chicago Sanitary Fair. 

This exceptional two-CDV lot pairs a fascinating exhibition souvenir with a beautifully composed posthumous tribute. Together, they represent a wonderful study in how the American public collected and preserved Lincoln’s lifecycle following his martyrdom, bridging his humble western frontier roots with his ultimate legacy. The lot includes: 

1. The Lincoln Log Cabin Sanitary Fair Souvenir CDV: A first-generation illustrated card depicting "President Lincoln’s first Home in Illinois." The face of the card features a detailed engraving of the pioneer log cabin with two figures standing out front. The reverse features an extensive, beautifully printed historical text block explicitly identifying the two men as Lincoln's cousins, John Hanks (right) and Dennis F. Hanks (left), detailing their roles in building the cabin in Macon County in 1830 and teaching the future president his alphabet. Thee text explicitly records its sale provenance: "Photographed at the great Sanitary Fair, Chicago, June 8th, 1865. Published and for sale... by J. L. Campbell." The base features a crisp line for Crater, Photographer 55 Clark St. To raise funds for wounded soldiers and sanitary supplies during last months of the Civil War, the actual logs of Lincoln's 1830 cabin were dismantled, shipped to Chicago, and re-erected as a premier attraction at the Northwestern Sanitary Fair. This historic card was retailed on-site directly to fairgoers just two months after the assassination.

2. E. & H.T. Anthony Posthumous Multi-Portrait Memorial CDV: A striking, beautifully executed photographic montage designed as an immediate postwar tribute to the martyred commander-in-chief. The central composition features a prominent monument pedestal inscribed "In Memory of Abraham Lincoln," alongside vital dates and his famous "With malice toward none; with charity for all" second inaugural quote. Surrounding this central monument are eight individual, scalloped-edge miniature vignettes reproducing his most memorable from-life photographs, including celebrated portraits by Mathew Brady and Alexander Gardner. The verso displays a large backmark reading: "Published by E. & H.T. Anthony, 501 Broadway, New York. Manufacturers of the best Photographic Albums."

Both CDVs are in very good condition. The prints retain excellent tones and strong contrast. The card mounts are clean and untrimmed - a high-quality pair.