[POLITICS]. BRADY, Mathew, photographer, after. Engraving of Lewis Cass. New York: A.H. Ritchie, engraver, Edward Anthony, publisher, 1848.

3 x 4 in. engraving under 5 x 6 in. glass featuring a patriotic shield surmounted by a gold American eagle (unexamined outside of glass, but small particles appear to be scattered between glass and engraving, otherwise very fine condition). Verso with applied paper label including identification, publication information, and promotional details about Anthony's Daguerreian Depot (partial separation to label near left margin).

A rare engraving of Cass, possibly produced as part of a series of portraits of prominent figures who were presidential hopefuls in 1848.

Lewis Cass (1782-1866) soldier, diplomat, and statesman, was born in Exeter, New Hampshire. Educated at Exeter Academy, he moved to Marietta, Ohio in 1800 and established a law practice. With the outbreak of the War of 1812, Cass answered the call, joining the Ohio forces in Dayton as an officer in the state militia, and was later appointed colonel in the regular army and major general of volunteers. He was on the line at the Battle of the Thames, and was appointed Governor of the Michigan Territory, a position he held for 18 years.

In 1831 he was called to serve as President Andrew Jackson's Secretary of War. His tenure in this position was marked by the Black Hawk War as well as negotiations with Native Americans in Alabama and Georgia. He left this position in 1836 for health reasons, and was named US Minister to France. In 1845 Cass was elected as a US Senator from Michigan, and was the Democratic nominee for President of the United States in 1848 and 1852. Cass died in Detroit in 1866.