Some historical treasures spend decades behind glass, carefully catalogued and admired.
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treasures → spend → glass
Others wait quietly in forgotten corners of family homes, their significance hidden until an unexpected discovery brings the past back to life.
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discovery → wait → life
A signed photograph of Abraham Lincoln followed the latter path, surviving for generations in a Massachusetts family before emerging with an old newspaper clipping that helped establish its remarkable history.
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that → sign → history
The portrait eventually sold at auction for $149,020, states an auction report by RR Auction.
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report → sell → Auction
According to the auction report, the photograph, known as Lincoln's Penny Profile, captures the 16th US president in a right-facing profile.
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photograph → accord → profile
Measuring 2.25 by 4 inches, the carte-de-visite portrait was taken on February 9, 1864, by Anthony Berger at Mathew Brady's photographic studio in Washington.
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portrait → measure → Washington
The image became one of Lincoln's most recognisable likenesses and later served as the principal photographic reference for Victor David Brenner's design of the Lincoln cent.
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image → become → cent
The same photographic sitting also produced the portrait that would eventually be adapted for the five-dollar bill.
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that → produce → bill
This particular example carries an additional distinction: Lincoln's signature appears in ink at the bottom, while an inscription on the reverse records its original purpose, adds the description of the portrait.
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inscription → carry → portrait
Supporting Union soldiers' families
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Supporting → support → families
As per the report, in December 1864, as the American Civil War continued, Lincoln contributed six signed photographic portraits to the Soldiers' Aid Society of Westford, Massachusetts.
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Lincoln → continue → Westford
The photographs were intended for sale at a fundraising event held on December 14, with proceeds supporting the families of local Union soldiers.
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proceeds → intend → soldiers
Unable to provide federal funds directly to the organisation, Lincoln offered something of personal and historical value instead.
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Lincoln → provide → value
The signed portraits became part of an effort to raise money for those bearing the cost of the war at home.
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portraits → sign → home
The inscription on the reverse of the photograph confirms its connection to the Westford benefit, making it more than a presidential portrait.
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it → confirm → portrait
It is a surviving record of a wartime charitable initiative, adds the online report.
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report → survive → initiative
A forgotten clipping reveals its history
As per the description, the photograph is believed to have been acquired at the fundraising event by Charles G. Sargent, a prominent Westford industrialist and civic leader.
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photograph → reveal → Sargent
It subsequently passed to his son, Allan C. Sargent, who was known for his preservation work and involvement in historical organisations.
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who → pass → organisations
The portrait remained within the family for roughly a century before its significance was brought back into focus.
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significance → remain → focus
An accompanying newspaper clipping from 1924 documented Lincoln's donation of the six photographs and affirmed the authenticity of his signature, adds the report.
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report → accompany → signature
The clipping was discovered at the back of an old frame when the photograph resurfaced in a desk, providing a valuable link between the object and its original purpose.
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photograph → discover → object
A rare piece of American history
The photograph, presented in very good to fine condition with minor signs of age, was authenticated by PSA/DNA and accompanied by documentation detailing its provenance.
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photograph → present → provenance
Its eventual sale for $149,020 reflects the appeal of an object that combines presidential history, photographic significance and a documented connection to Civil War-era philanthropy.
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that → reflect → philanthropy
The Aporia
