Photo of Lincoln standing in front of the White House ???

[underpants]

http://d.yimg.com/img.news.yahoo.com/util/anysize/400,http%3A%2F%2Fd.yimg.com%2Fa%2Fp%2Fap%2F20090310%2Fcapt.f094b864f52847ffaf34d1eb9a483d6d.lincoln_photograph_uncovered_dcjm302.jpg

This detail of a March 6, 1865 photo by Henry F. Warren, provided by the Collection Keya Morgan/LincolnImages.com, shows the White House with several figures standing in front of it. Photography collector Keya Morgan says the photo is the only known photograph of Lincoln standing in front of the White House, and the first photo ever to have been taken of a President in front of the White House. Morgan added the 6'4 to reference which figure he believes in Abraham Lincoln.
(AP Photo/Collection of Keya Morgan, LincolnImages.com)

Collector: Lincoln photo uncovered in Grant album
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ijJxYjqmM8k-5NYaKqKatBBJyxzwD96R35NO0
By BRETT ZONGKER – 4 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — A collector believes a photograph from a private album of Civil War Gen. Ulysses S. Grant shows President Abraham Lincoln in front of the White House and could be the last image taken of him before he was assassinated in 1865.

If it is indeed Lincoln, it would be the only known photo of the 16th president in front of the executive mansion and a rare find, as only about 130 photos of him are known to exist. A copy of the image was provided to The Associated Press.

Grant's 38-year-old great-great-grandson, Ulysses S. Grant VI, had seen the picture before, but didn't examine it closely until late January. A tall figure in the distance caught his eye, although the man's facial features are obscured.

Several historians say Morgan has a good case.

Will Stapp, who was the founding curator of the National Portrait Gallery's photographs department and who now appraises fine art and photographs, said he's usually cynical about such claims. But he said he was "very satisfied that it's Lincoln" in the picture.

[moundsview]

1. Sneaking a smoke?

Nice find though.

[kwassa]

2. This reminds me of a copy of a letter we have in our family ....

and we don't even know the relationship in the family tree.

But, this letter talked about going to visit in Washington in 1860 (I think), and as part of the experience, the letter writer decided to go over to the White House to see the President. He did exactly that, accosting Lincoln and his wife as they were getting out of a carriage in front of the White House, and having a brief chat with him. That is how informal it was, and there was no security of any kind. Quite astonishing, actually.

[rvablue]

4. Cool story! Make sure someone is taking good care of it!

What a wonderful piece of history!!

I remember reading that even FDR could stroll around by himself while President.

Times have certainly changed!

[Thothmes]

7. FDR would have had a very difficult

time "strolling" anywhere. His polio induced parayalis, made walking difficut and painful. It took a major effort on his part. For political reasons, the decision was made to mask his disability as much as possible from the American electorate. Great lengths were take to show him as normal in public appearances.

[Two Americas]

5. astonishing yes

Lincoln welcomed everyone in and chatted with them, until his secretary convinced him that no work would ever get done if he kept talking to every one who showed up. Lincoln used it to keep in touch with the people, he said, and never completely closed the door or turned people away.

Rosalynn Carter complained about Jimmy doing the same thing when they got back to Plains. Over the years he had always told people "come on down and visit us in Plains" and a lot of people took him up on that. Anyone who showed up Jimmy invited in and chatted with them. Meanwhile, they were going broke and there was no peace around the house, so Rosalynn put her foot down. She said every time she turned around the house was full of strangers from Ohio again, and they couldn't pay their bills with Jimmy loafing around the house. They then collaborated on a book, but were unable to see things the same way or get along so they wrote alternating chapters and kept to separate rooms. The sales of that book got them out of the financial hole, and Jimmy started getting out of the house and getting involved in various things. I was always struck by the Carter's down home simplicity and humility and honesty and surprised by how much financial difficulty they had when they left the White House. Compare that the the mega-billions that the Republicans are always wallowing in.

[tekisui]

3. Ulysses S. Grant VI?

They aren't the most creative name givers in that family.

[grantcart]

6. especially since Ulysses wasn't his actual name.

(BTW my nephew is the VIII. When you get up that high it is so unusual that you feel obligated to keep the tradition going lol.)