Tomb of Abraham Lincoln, at Springfield, Ill. Guarded by Vet. Res. Corps 1865. [caption title]

[Springfield, Illinois, 1865]. Photographic image: 7½ x 9 inches, on mount with handwritten caption. Period deep-set walnut and gilt frame, glazed, 9¾ x 11¼ inches, overall. Evenly-lightened with the image likely taken on a bright, sunlit day.

Unpublished and previously unknown. A rare photographic print created from a large format albumen photograph taken in 1865. The image captures Lincoln's tomb being guarded by the Veteran Reserve Corps. The Reserve Corps were active from May to November, 1865 helping to date when this image was first taken.

As President Lincoln's funeral train wended its way from Washington, D.C., to Springfield, "non-commissioned officers of the Veteran Reserve Corps were detailed to act as a body-guard, and major generals of the army were directed to attend the train and keep watch, so that at all times during the journey the coffin should be under their special guardianship." (Isaac N. Arnold)

The majority of photographs of Lincoln's tomb taken in Springfield in 1865 were captured by two local photographers, Ingmire and Tresize. They had a thriving business photographing various delegations in front of the Lincoln home and at the receiving tomb. (Jonathan H. Mann)

Over the past two decades, new examples of these tomb photographs have emerged, suggesting that many individuals involved in the procession, including honor guards, made a pilgrimage and posed for the camera. Most of these images are found in carte-de-visite format. Larger formats like the present print hold greater significance and desirability. While the members of the Reserve Corps in this image may remain anonymous, there are four individuals of higher rank depicted on the opposite side of the vault door, who might be identifiable with closer examination. (ibid)