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Dan Pearson · 09-10-2012, 07:43 PM

A seller of a photograph posted to eBay purports it to be an original of Robert, Mary Harlan, and Mamie Lincoln aboard a ship. Below is a link. Any opinions?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271056856032?ssP...763wt_1398

Rob Wick · 09-10-2012, 08:10 PM

Dan,

I'm skeptical, and it appears that even the seller is trying to hedge his bet.

The woman standing to his right looks like his wife, Mary Eunice Harlan, and next to her seems to be the oldest daughter, Mary Todd “Mamie” Lincoln. I have compared this photo to others on the internet and believe that this is a photo of Robert Todd Lincoln and family, taken in the 1880s.

Also, the facial hair on the man looks much different than the way RTL wore his.

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And compare it to this one

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The man in the photo's face looks much rounder than RTL's does to me.

Also, the woman who is supposedly Mary Harlan looks different to me than this picture, although I will admit the hat makes it hard to tell.

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But what clinches it for me is the picture of Mamie. Look at this one.

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Her hair is blonde or at least much lighter than the woman in the picture. Also, Mamie's face is longer than the woman.

My vote is no.

Best
Rob

RJNorton · (This post was last modified: 09-11-2012 04:28 AM by RJNorton.)

Dan, I vote with Rob on this. Robert is on the left below; my eyes are seeing two different people.

Joe Di Cola · 09-11-2012, 07:13 AM

(09-11-2012 04:23 AM)RJNorton Wrote: Dan, I vote with Rob on this. Robert is on the left below; my eyes are seeing two different people.

I agree. It is not RTL; the eyes and beard are not of the same person.

LincolnMan · 09-11-2012, 07:29 AM

Not RTL.

Donna McCreary · 09-11-2012, 11:25 AM

This is not RTL - not MHL - and not Mamie.
This is not the first 'fake' photo of RTL circulating the internet. I am sure it will not be the last.

Craig Hipkins · 09-11-2012, 07:33 PM

Not even a close one...unless RTL had facial reconstruction surgery Big Grin

Craig

09-12-2012, 08:00 AM

Not RTL IMO

Jim Garrett · 09-12-2012, 07:22 PM

It looks preety much like the "panel of experts" says no. All we need is the two best photo comparison gurus (Lauries & Betty) to log in and we have a slam dunk.

Laurie Verge · 09-13-2012, 07:55 AM

Sorry - it's been hectic at work, and I overlooked responding. I have seen this photo before and knew right away that it was not Robert. In fact, if I didn't know better, I would claim that it is one of my former volunteers at Surratt House. Our gentleman always dressed in impeccable style of the mid- to late-1800s, and the facial comparison is almost identical.

Gene C · 11-14-2012, 08:07 AM

No bids were ever placed on this ebay item. It didn't sell on ebay.

LincolnMan · 11-14-2012, 09:15 AM

The Ebay seller has nothing, as far as I glanced, but positive feedback. I wonder how he came to believe that it is a photograph of RTL and others as claimed. As always- buyer beware! Sometimes sellers sincerely believe what they claim-and are very mistaken.

Ashley Norman · 11-17-2012, 11:59 AM

the first picutre post by Rob, I dont personally think it's Robert. i hvae noticed that he looks some waht like his father his chin features are more like that of his fathers and the hair he grow does seem to slightly grow like his fathers. he was very good looking and most of his life very slinder and tall. As he got up into he older age he starts to fill out better and his face becomes slightly fuller but not enoguh to say he is over weight more filed out i guess.