2 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 95 



Department transferred the negatives, through W. W. Howes, First 

 Assistant Postmaster General, in a letter dated January 22, 1935, to 

 the United States National Museum for permanent preservation as 

 part of the national collections. They were placed directly in the hands 

 of the writer by the Superintendent of the Division of Dead Letters 

 and Dead Parcel Post on January 29, 1936. 



Plates I and 2 show prints made directly from the negatives. In 

 plates 3 and 4 the lines of breakage and other imperfections have been 

 eliminated by a skillful artist. It will be noted that in these pictures 

 Lincoln is shown as smooth-shaven. It is reported that in October 

 i860 a letter was written to Mr. Lincoln suggesting that he grow a 

 beard — advice that he seems to have followed, since he wore one on 

 his inauguration the following March. Apparently, therefore, these 

 negatives were made soon after the election of the previous November. 



As stated above, according to report Lincoln considered these pic- 

 tures as among the best made of him at the period. Fortunately the 

 damage to the plates has not destroyed the likeness, as may be seen 

 from the accompanying illustrations. These negatives form an im- 

 portant addition to the many treasures of the collections of the United 

 States National Museum. 



