Lincoln Portrait, ca. 1858
Although six midwestern cities claim to be the place of origin for this beardless photograph of Abraham Lincoln, the actual place and date have not been definitively established. The best evidence points to the studio of Henry H. Cole of Peoria, Illinois, whose cameraman was his brother, Roderick M. Cole. In later life, Cole identified the photograph as one he made at his Peoria gallery during the Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858.
Although six midwestern cities claim to be the place of origin for this beardless photograph of Abraham Lincoln, the actual place and date have not been definitively established. The best evidence points to the studio of Henry H. Cole of Peoria, Illinois, whose cameraman was his brother, Roderick M. Cole. In later life, Cole identified the photograph as one he made at his Peoria gallery during the Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858.