RARE Signed Photograph of Robert E. Lee

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RARE Signed Photograph of Robert E. Lee:
$7000.00

An Iconic Image of Robert E. Lee is Passed Between Two Cousins

Signed “R.E. Lee / Genl.,” a Southern cousin presents the image to his (presumably) Northern counterpart:“Norman Walker / from his rebel / cousin David Walker.”

ROBERT E. LEE. Signed Photograph. [ca-1864-65]. Richmond, Va., Vannerson and Sons. Oval bust image is 1½ x 2¼ in., photographic surface 2¼ x 3½ card overall is 2½ x 4 in.

Inventory #22938

Imprinted on verso “Vannerson & Jones, / Photographic Artists, / No., 77 Main St. / Richmond, Va.” Inscribed above imprint “Norman Walker / from his rebel / cousin David Walker.”

This oval bust image was taken from a three-quarter length photograph of Robert E. Lee which is in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress. That image identifies the photographer as Jules Vannerson and ascribes it a date of “1864 March.” After the war’s end, October 2, 1865, the retired general was inaugurated as president of Washington College, in Lexington, Virginia.

Robert E. Lee (1807-1870). Knowing in 1860 that Civil War was inevitable, President Lincoln had offered Lee command of the Union army. Lee declined and submitted his resignation out of loyalty to his home state of Virginia. In 1861 he served as senior military advisor to Jefferson Davis, and he was later appointed commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. By February 1865, he was named commander-in-chief of the entire Confederate army. Overcome by the North’s superior numbers and resources, he surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse in 1865.

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