Seed Pearl Necklace and Bracelets

[James]

Roger ...It's just the visual evidence that sticks out like a sore thumb when studying the entire photographic record of Lincoln. There is always an excuse for his right hand by the various biographers, most of whom are ardent admirers of Lincoln and want him to be a perfect specimen beyond the frailties of a human being. He "shook too many hands". Leonard Volk " wished for Abe to hold something in his right hand" when doing castings of his hands. Why? What's the excuse for the rolled up papers he is clutching in his full length photographs? Does that at all look like a normal pose?
There are several colorful descriptions describing Abe's right side, a couple of which are highlighted in the Kunhardt's book I mentioned. Something to the effect that he teetered to one side like a sailor trying to find his sea legs. There are more descriptions that I've run across over the years that I can't recall at the moment but they are well documented, and coupled with the photographic record, leave little doubt about his right side being "compromised" for lack of a better term.
While the manner in which he is clutching the cane is admittedly subtle, and on a stand alone basis seemingly insignificant, it is just one more small piece of the larger puzzle that when fully assembled leaves no doubt as to the identity of the couple in dag image.
One more point about daguerreotypes. There have been many instances in the last few decades where famous individuals have been identified and authenticated as the result of a renewed interest in the daguerreotype. More people perusing photographic shops and flea markets and antique shops and estate sales. These images were hiding in plain sight in many instances for over a century. Why is it that only recently are the subjects in these photographs being recognized? Could it be that the daguerrean image is so different than the images produced by all other photographic methods that they were completely overlooked as a result? I think that may play a role, however large or small that role may be in the final analysis.

Susan ... by studying the photographic record of Mary. There are many of her photos that show the large scar. Why this has never been touched upon in any of her biographies is beyond me. Most likely because without the Abe and Mary dag surfacing, it would be be historically irrelevant.