Seed Pearl Necklace and Bracelets

[Susan Higginbotham]

Aside from the fact that the man in the cane picture looks nothing like Lincoln and the lady bears only a slight resemblance to Mary, the woman's large collar is one that was fashionable in the 1850s. Mary, fresh from a New York shopping trip, wouldn't be wearing that in 1861.

I don't see any evidence that the lady is wearing a blue dress. Could be gray or some other color.

Also, if this conspiracy-minded site is correct in identifying the image as a daguerreotype (and I can't say I trust the site), daguerreotypes had fallen out of fashion in favor of ambrotypes and CDVs by 1861. Daguerreotypes were still around, but a photographer taking a picture of the First Couple would be more likely to use what was current.

http://abeandmarydag.com/