Apr 13, 2023 - Sale 2633

Sale 2633 - Lot 109

Price Realized: $ 1,375
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 600 - $ 900
(ABRAHAM LINCOLN.) F.W. Ingmire, photographer. Carte-de-visite of Lincoln's horse Old Bob in mourning. Albumen photograph, 2 x 3 1/2 inches, on original mount with photographer's backmark; minimal wear. Springfield, IL, [1865]
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Lincoln acquired this horse, known variously as Old Bob or Old Robin, to pull his carriage while on the law circuit in Springfield in the 1850s. When he was elected to the presidency, he sold the horse to a Springfield drayman. By 1865, Old Bob had been put out to pasture, but was still a well-known celebrity in town. When Springfield held a parade to celebrate the 4 April fall of Richmond, Old Bob was decked out in red, white and blue.

A month later, on 4 May, he wore a black mourning blanket with silver trimmings at Lincoln's funeral, as seen here. He was led by two African Methodist Episcopal ministers, positioned in the procession between the hearse and Lincoln's son Robert. Standing at left is the Rev. Henry Brown (1823-1906), who came to Springfield circa 1848 after being manumitted from slavery, and became a longtime friend and employee of the Lincoln family. At right is the Rev. William C. Trevan (circa 1829-1908) of Indiana.