Robert E. Lee Signed 4x2.75 CDV Photograph (Beckett Authenticated)

Description

This lot contains a rare autographed item of one of the most significant figures in American history, preserved for approximately 150 years. Robert E. Lee secured his fame as the commander of the Confederate Army of Virginia during the Civil War. Despite his preference that the country remain united and actually being offered a senior command in the Union forces, Lee opted to remain loyal to his home state of Virginia. While doing battle against Union armies superior in number, Lee actually won the majority of his battles, though his cause was ultimately to end with his surrender in 1865.
As he was a proponent of reuniting and reintegrating the nation after the divisive war, in addition to serving the US in a military capacity for over three decades, Lee was generally a very popular figure and his efforts remain iconic to many in the south to this day.
Long before the era of modern photography, images of such admired figures were captured on items known as carte-de-visites, or visiting cards. These cards measured roughly 4 x 2 3/4 inches and generally consisted of an albumen print, a thin paper photograph mounted on a thicker paper card. Initially traded among friends and visitors, CDVs expanded in popularity and, much like modern day trading cards, these were then collected, traded and stored in albums as keepsakes. The reverse of the CDV features an illustration of the “REES & CO. PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTISTS” building with the names of the photograph artists below. “RICHMOND,VA. 1867” is labeled on the bottom of the reverse. Robert E. Lee signed his name across the bottom of the CDV in black ink. The signature is bold, and the photograph features elements of toning and the remnants of a possible adhesive on the back. The 4 x 2 ¾ -inch CDV signed by Robert E. Lee comes with an LOA from Beckett Authentication (A67847) for the signature.