Existing comment:
The Last Image of Lincoln:
During a brief pause in the New York City ceremonies on April 24, 1865, a photographer was permitted to record the scene, including the president in his open casket. On learning of this breach of propriety, Secretary Stanton ordered the resulting glass plates destroyed.
One image made from the plates survived, but it did not come to light for nearly a century. In 1952, a 15-year-old researcher examining the papers of John Nicolay at the Illinois State Historical Library discovered this image. It remains the only known photograph of Lincoln in death.
This photo of Lincoln in death was taken inside City Hall in New York before the viewing began.
During its journey to Springfield, Lincoln's body was tended to by two men who used newly-invented embalming techniques to keep the remains fresh. |