Mary's Reputation

[Donna McCreary]

(06-02-2013 10:59 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  I have one of those CDV's of Mary Lincoln in her black mourning garb. As I looked at the photograph I wondered why-why did she attend a sitting for the photograph? Was she paid? Did she profit from the sales of the photos? She was in mourning. What motivated her to present at a studio for a sitting during that point in her life?

Which CDV do you have? I can think of three where Mary wore mourning attire. The first one was taken after Willie died. Mary is seated and has a black bonnet with a spray of white flowers. The second was taken near the time her brother Levi (a Union man) died. She is standing and turned to the right. The third is the famous 'ghost' photo.
I realize other historians may use different dates for these photos. However, based on fashion styles and other infomration, the ALPL is now using these dates for the photos.