Description
In the Spring of 1864 Lee agreed to have a series of portraits taken for use by sculptor Edward V. Valentine, who was studying in Berlin. Valentine was to sculpt a small statue of Lee to be sold at a benefit for Confederate prisoner relief in Liverpool, England. The sitting was done at Julian Vannerson’s gallery in Richmond. The group of portraits was known as Lee’s Blockade Images, as they were sent through the blockade to Valentine in Europe. The specific pose depicted on this CDV is known as Standing Pose 1. This is the classic wartime pose of Lee in full dress uniform, including sash, gloves, and sword. Many consider it to be his finest wartime photograph. The back mark on this CDV is Vannerson & Jones, Photographic Artists, No. 77 Main St., Richmond, Va. It would have been produced postwar, 1865-1866, likely from the original enhanced negative. This particular CDV is in excellent condition and is very desirable due to the Vannerson back mark. A better CDV cannot be found, unless signed by Lee himself (the price would increase severalfold).
