[LINCOLNIANA]. Sixth plate ambrotype of subject identified as Lizzie Gilmer, the daughter of Daniel H. Gilmer, who purportedly demanded a toll from Lincoln.

Sixth plate relievo ambrotype featuring a young girl wearing an off-the-shoulder dress and holding a bouquet of flowers in her lap. (Plate fully separated along diagonal crack, scratching and spotting to image surface, with some areas of loss to emulsion; unsealed.) Housed in a fully separated pressed paper case (fully separated at spine, surface wear throughout). Provenance: Herbert Wells Fay, Lincoln Tomb curator and collector; Norm Boas, Seaport Autographs; Dr. John K. Lattimer, thence by descent; purchased by consignor.

The young girl in the image is identified by pencil inscription on paper behind image as "Lizzie Gilmer / Daughter / Col D.H. Gilmer / who entertained / Lincoln / Oct 1858 / See Sandburg / Lincon [sic] Pace[?]"

A friend of Abraham Lincoln, Daniel H. Gilmer was an attorney and Whig supporter who operated out of his home in Pittsfield, Illinois. Upon one of Lincoln's visits to the home in October 1858, it is reported that Gilmer's daughter, Lizzie, exacted a toll from the future president before allowing him to pass through the front gate. She was purportedly scolded by her father for the ploy.

Today, the site of the Daniel H. Gilmer Home and Law Office is identified with a historical marker describing the charming encounter between Lizzie and Lincoln.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

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Ms. Horstman has spent over a decade specializing in historic photography and Americana at auction. During her tenure, she has overseen several notable single owner auctions, including property from the inventory of celebrated Americana and antique arms expert Norm Flayderman. During her time with the firm, she has maintained an active membership in the Daguerreian Society. Ms. Horstman holds an MA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Art History from The Ohio State University.

American Historical Ephemera & Photography

[LINCOLNIANA]. Sixth plate ambrotype of subject identified as Lizzie Gilmer, the daughter of Daniel H. Gilmer, who purportedly demanded a toll from Lincoln.

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