Lloyd Ostendorf's Book of Mary Lincoln Photos

[Donna McCreary]

(06-10-2016 07:24 AM)Gene C Wrote:  It worked Eva, That was great. Thanks to you and Kees.

I've always wondered about the authenticity of the photo on page 289, ML O-7, by William Mumler.
She appears so plain compared to other pictures. No jewelry or flowers.

Noticed the colorful dresses and low neckline disappear after Willie's death. Did she ever wear that style again after his death, but never photographed that way anymore?

Yes, Mary was as woman of fashion and wore what was fashionably appropriate for the occasion. There were several evening events at the White House which called for a lower neckline, and Mary wore gowns fitting the style.
Low necklines were only worn as formal, evening wear for a ball -- they were never worn as day wear or for semi-formal events.

---

Lloyd Ostendorf's book of Mary's photos is good resource material. He did an excellent job of cataloging the photos, and he did the best he could when dating them. Lloyd's focus was photography - not fashion. By studying the fashions in the photos, we can better date them. There are also changes in some of the photographs dates based on family letters. For example, Lloyd dated one photograph as January 1862. The dress that Mary wore in the photograph was given to Elizabeth Grimsley when she returned to Springfield after her six month stay in Washington. Elizabeth left the White House in September 1861; therefore, the photo had to have been taken prior to Elizabeth's departure.

Copies of this book are rather expensive on the secondary market. I have an extra copy that I am willing to sell. If interested, please send me a private message.