Clara Harris Rathbone photo mistaken again

[STS Lincolnite]

Came across this brief article this morning. Another mass media article that presents the wrong photo of Clara Harris Rathbone.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-cou...id=u305dhp

Most long time members here are aware of the photograph story but for those newer members and those who are not, here is a link to a Ford's Theatre blog post from 2014 discussing the issue. Way to go Roger and Dave! Let's hope with time, the historical record will be set straight once and for all.

https://blog.fords.org/2014/08/14/clara-...-identity/

[L Verge]

I just wish that credit had been given to the authority who first questioned and then proved that the "original" photo of Harris is incorrect. That is Hallam Webber, who lives in a D.C. suburb and is well-known in the field of collectibles as well as one of the old-school group who worked closely with James O. Hall, the dean of Lincoln assassination studies.

[Eva Elisabeth]

There's another misinformation - there's no record on either side of the pond of him ever receiving an appointment to such (any) consular post.

[RJNorton]

I just wish that credit had been given to the authority who first questioned and then proved that the "original" photo of Harris is incorrect. That is Hallam Webber, who lives in a D.C. suburb and is well-known in the field of collectibles as well as one of the old-school group who worked closely with James O. Hall, the dean of Lincoln assassination studies.

Almost 16 years ago the Washington Post carried this story about the mistaken picture (Webber is credited):

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/l...07f88f3de/

[Eva Elisabeth]

Sadly the false image has continued to find its way into otherwise well-researched books since.

[L Verge]

I just wish that credit had been given to the authority who first questioned and then proved that the "original" photo of Harris is incorrect. That is Hallam Webber, who lives in a D.C. suburb and is well-known in the field of collectibles as well as one of the old-school group who worked closely with James O. Hall, the dean of Lincoln assassination studies.

Almost 16 years ago the Washington Post carried this story about the mistaken picture (Webber is credited):

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/l...07f88f3de/

Thanks for posting this and giving Hallam extra credit. It was also nice to see the late-Mike Maione of the NPS quoted. Mike was quite a character before his untimely death - and when you got the history from him (given in his unique way), you wouldn't forget it!

Mike and his predecessor, Frank Hebblethwaite, should be credited with much of the good history that now comes from most of the personnel at Ford's. I'm not so sure that they would be pleased with the most recent exhibit installed in the basement of the theater, however. Personally, I think the one during the late-1900s was much more appropriate.

[GARY POPOLO]

I have a question some one may be able to answer. I am reading Lincoln's Boys and the book was explaining why Rathbone ended up becoming Lincolns theater guest along with his STEP-SISTER Clara Harris who he would later marry. I never read that she was his step-sister. Can anyone clear that up for me? Maybe I missed this piece of history along the way.....

[RJNorton]

Hi Gary. Yes, what you read is true!

[Gene C]

Rathbone's father died and his mother married Ira Harris, Clara's father. Henry was about 11 years old at the time his mother remarried. Clara was almost 14.
(according to Wikipedia)

[GARY POPOLO]

Rathbone's father died and his mother married Ira Harris, Clara's father. Henry was about 11 years old at the time his mother remarried. Clara was almost 14.
(according to Wikipedia)

Roger and Gene, Thank you for your reply. Funny how we can read and read about someone or something and miss the little things. Again Thank you both. Just a note I am enjoying the book. It gives you a nice back ground of these two boys who were a large part of Lincolns presidency.

[ReignetteC]

Came across this brief article this morning. Another mass media article that presents the wrong photo of Clara Harris Rathbone.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-cou...id=u305dhp

Most long time members here are aware of the photograph story but for those newer members and those who are not, here is a link to a Ford's Theatre blog post from 2014 discussing the issue. Way to go Roger and Dave! Let's hope with time, the historical record will be set straight once and for all.

https://blog.fords.org/2014/08/14/clara-...-identity/

The Lincoln Collection recently posted images purported to be of Clara Harris and Henry Rathbone. Is the image of Clara a true image?
If you have Facebook, click here:

https://www.facebook.com/LincolnCollecti...&ref=notif

Also, the Lincoln Collection writes that, "on the back of the photo is an inscription done by her son, Henry R. Rathbone. A similar inscription is on the back of his fathers’ photo as well."

       

[Steve]

As far as I know it's the correct one. Although, hilariously, Wikipedia has the wrong photo for Clara Harris:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_Harris

---

What I mean by hilariously, is that someone changed the photo 3 years ago and there was no pushback by Wikipedia editors. Wikipedia is a fountain of unchallenged misinformation.

The Wikipedia photo in question comes from the Brady collection and was for years misidentified as being Clara.

[RJNorton]

I believe these photos are the correct Clara Harris. I get easily confused on this subject.

[ReignetteC]

As far as I know it's the correct one. Although, hilariously, Wikipedia has the wrong photo for Clara Harris:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_Harris

---

What I mean by hilariously, is that someone changed the photo 3 years ago and there was no pushback by Wikipedia editors. Wikipedia is a fountain of unchallenged misinformation.

The Wikipedia photo in question comes from the Brady collection and was for years misidentified as being Clara.

Thanks

I would never cite Wikipedia - LOL!!