I have had this Tintype in my Collection since 2014, At the time I collected and studied early photography and I would constantly search images. I became extremely good at recognition and identifying images and Antiques that people had and didn't realize what they were. When I found this one for sale as just an old photo, it was very dirty and dusty, as if it had been sitting in a wall for all these years. When I got it home I looked it over and thought immediately that it was Lincoln. I researched for a while but daily life and work became too demanding, so it was put on a back burner. In 2020 due to health reasons I lost everything and ended living in Louisiana and sold most of my Collection, which was of considerable size and Painful. I held on to a few including this one for further research one day. Well, That day has come - It's an early Tintype made on a thicker plate and has a cracked appearance due to age or heat from sometime in it's past. I remember purchasing from a person in Geneseo and later sending them an email asking where they found it. They said from an Estate sale around Chicago. - Now for the interesting part - I've been staring at this Tintype for Months now and after reading everything that I can find on Lincoln - I'm fully convinced that this is him. I believe from late 1860 to early 1861 and was taken in Springfield Illinois. At this time Lincoln had just won the election on Nov. 6th. and had grown his signature beard. He was in Springfield surrounded by his wife Mary and her family. They were making arrangements for his inauguration and move to Washington, which took place early Feb. 1861. Their circle of family who was extensively involved in this process at this time was.... 

\* **Elizabeth Todd Grimsley** ( Mary's Cousin ) 1825-1895 She was also very close to Lincoln and accompanied him to Washington.

\* **Frances Todd Wallace** ( Mary's Sister ) 1817-1899

\* **Elizabeth Todd Edwards** ( Mary's Sister ) 1813-1888

\* **Ann Todd Smith** ( Mary's Sister ) 1820-1891

\* **Dr. John Todd** ( Mary's Uncle ) 1787-1865

\* **Elizabeth F.B.** Todd ( Mary's Aunt ) 1793-1865

Fascinating to Read about Lincoln and the Todd's during this time. I'm fully aware and have seen others that think they found a lost Lincoln image and almost everyone is quite obviously not him, But this one definitely deserves a look. I'm still researching and reading so Enjoy !

Abraham Lincoln & his Springfield Todd Family ! Tintype Photograph 1860-61