Seed Pearl Necklace and Bracelets

[James]

Dave - if the casting itself reveals power and strength, then the explanation sounds weak and contrived. Shaking hands? More than one occasion? The fact that there are multiple instances where a biographer or photographer felt compelled to provide an explanation should, in and of itself, sound alarm bells. Always the right hand - never the left hand. Whether in oral or written form, the historical grapevine is seldom a reliable conduit for an unassailable truth. That's why the photographic record of Lincoln is vital in establishing that truth.
A little smoke here and a little smoke there, and after studying the entire photographic record, there appears to be a little smoke everywhere. Not saying there's a bonfire there, just saying it appears someone was definitely playing with matches.

Laurie - you do realize that the "plump, pinkish, perfect hand" you refer to is actually gloved, don't you? Abe's left hand is clutching the left glove, the glove that Dan Weinberg and Timothy Bakken referred to as a "hanky".

There is a large circular "splotch" on the dag image (not the actual daguerreotype) after the glass had been removed. This is due to being scanned with a 4x5 scanback camera in a Berkeley, California photography shop. The image where the white spotting is evident was scanned on a flatbed scanner prior to the removal of the protective mat, retainer, and glass.

This is a hand-tinted daguerreotype. Tinting was a process done for more upscale clients to add a touch of color to the photo. Mary's cheeks have been tinted. Gold was also applied on items of jewelry during the tinting process on some dags.