Gardner's Photos of Conspirators' Executions Sell for $100,000

[Linda Anderson]

"Four photographs depicting the hangings of four Lincoln assassination co-conspirators has sold for an incredible $100,000 at auction.
The images of the historic event were taken by Alexander Gardner in Washington DC on July 7, 1865.
Depicting soldiers, reporters and witnesses gathered around the scaffold, the images are considered to be among the first examples of photojournalism."


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[Hess1865]

$100,000???
Why so high??
Were they the original glass plate negatives or something??
And if they were THE g/p negatives, I'd think they'd sell for a lot more!

[Linda Anderson]

Here's the description of the photographs.

"Suite of 4 photographs depicting the hanging of the Lincoln conspirators on July 7, 1865. Albumen prints, each 6 3/4x8 3/4 inches (17.2x22.2 cm.), with Gardner's credit, titles, date, and copyright printed on the original mounts recto. 1865"

http://catalogue.swanngalleries.com/asp/...&saletype=

[L Verge]

That is an unbelievable price.

[John E.]

Here's an interesting side note for everyone:

I found no evidence that Gardner ever copyrighted the execution photos. I looked up the information when I visited NARA last year and found no supporting evidence.

There were only 7 entries for photos taken of Powell on the monitors. All seven photos had the same description so you can't even tell which photos are being referenced. They were copyrighted in May of 1865.

My guess is that he sold the photos on pre-printed cardstock that said photos were copyrighted.

[irshgrl500]

Here's an interesting side note for everyone:

My guess is that he sold the photos on pre-printed cardstock that said photos were copyrighted.

Actually, I believe only the creator of the subject can register a copyright.

[John E.]

Here's an interesting side note for everyone:

My guess is that he sold the photos on pre-printed cardstock that said photos were copyrighted.

Actually, I believe only the creator of the subject can register a copyright.

I don't understand. Are you implying that Gardner did not take the photos and therefore could not register them?

[irshgrl500]

Here's an interesting side note for everyone:

My guess is that he sold the photos on pre-printed cardstock that said photos were copyrighted.

Actually, I believe only the creator of the subject can register a copyright.

I don't understand. Are you implying that Gardner did not take the photos and therefore could not register them?

I'm sorry, I misread your original post. I was sure you said the originals were not copyrighted. No, I am not implying that Gardner did not take the photos.

Karin