Peoria Riverfront Museum Acquires Original 1858 Lincoln Ambrotype, the 'Peoria Portrait'
The Peoria Riverfront Museum has obtained the original ambrotype portrait of Abraham Lincoln, created in 1858 by Roderick M. Cole in Peoria, Illinois. This significant piece was revealed during the museum's 14th anniversary celebration and stands as the sole known photograph of Lincoln from Peoria, along with the original plate. The image showcases a beardless Lincoln, captured as he readied himself for debates with Stephen Douglas. Among his early likenesses, Lincoln preferred this portrait, which was widely reproduced as cartes de visite. Found by Daniel Weinberg and Seth Kaller at a rare book fair in New York, historians now call it the 'Peoria Portrait.' It will be exhibited until the end of the year and will later have a permanent home in Peoria. Notably, Lincoln delivered his Peoria Speech against the expansion of slavery on October 16, 1854.
Key facts
- The Peoria Riverfront Museum acquired an original 1858 ambrotype portrait of Abraham Lincoln.
- The photograph was taken by Roderick M. Cole at his Peoria studio at the corner of Main and Washington streets.
- Lincoln was in Peoria preparing to debate Stephen Douglas in the U.S. Senate race when the portrait was made.
- The image was later mass-produced as a carte de visite and distributed to voters and supporters.
- The original was discovered at a rare book fair in New York City by Daniel Weinberg and Seth Kaller.
- Weinberg, with 20 years of experience authenticating Lincoln documents, confirmed the photograph is the original.
- Historians now refer to the image as the 'Peoria Portrait'.
- The museum unveiled the ambrotype on its 14th anniversary; it will remain on display through the end of the year and then permanently in Peoria.
- Lincoln delivered his famed Peoria Speech on October 16, 1854, opposing the expansion of slavery into U.S. territories.
Entities
Artists
- Abraham Lincoln
- Roderick M. Cole
- Stephen Douglas
- Bill Conger
- Daniel Weinberg
- Seth Kaller
Institutions
- Peoria Riverfront Museum
- Abraham Lincoln Book Shop Inc.
Locations
- Peoria
- Illinois
- United States
- New York City
- New York
- Chicago