JOHNSON, Andrew (1808-1875), President. GARDNER, Alexander, photographer. Mammoth-size portrait photograph of Johnson, AS PRESIDENT, imprint of A. Gardner, Washington, D.C., copyright 1865.

JOHNSON, Andrew (1808-1875), President. GARDNER, Alexander, photographer. Mammoth-size portrait photograph of Johnson, AS PRESIDENT, imprint of A. Gardner, Washington, D.C., copyright 1865.

Large folio (22¼ x 16½ in.) WITH FULL MARGINS, slight yellowing in left-hand portion, some marginal soiling, otherwise in excellent condition. Engraved inscription at bottom: "Yours truly Andrew Johnson."

GARDNER'S GREAT PORTRAIT OF PRESIDENT JOHNSON, One of the most famous images of the 17th President, previously Lincoln's second Vice-President. Johnson is seated in an elaborately carved armchair; a small table at his left features a sculptural ink and pen set with upright quill. The same chair and table are seen in several Gardner photographs of Lincoln, including a well-known portrait with Tad Lincoln (see Hamilton and Ostendorf O-114). Johnson appears a bit stiff and uncomfortable, leaning slightly back with a determined expression. This image is well-known in carte-de-visite format, but IN MAMMOTH FORMAT IT IS EXCEEDINGLY RARE.