Abraham Lincoln - September 1861 - Washington DC

56. Taken by Edward Bierstadt in Washington in September 1861.This photograph remained undiscovered for close to 100 years until it was found by Lincoln scholar and Lincoln photograph expert Lloyd Ostendorf in an old book shop in New York City in 1956.

Abraham Lincoln - Aoril 1861 - Washington DC

55. Taken by an unknown photographer in Washington in April 1861. As can be seen here, Lincoln inscribed this photograph to Lucy Speed, the mother of one of Lincoln’s oldest and closest friends, Joshua Speed. The text reads, "For Mrs. Lucy G. Speed, from whose pious hand I accepted the present of an Oxford Bible twenty years ago."

Abraham Lincoln - March 1861 - First Inauguration - Washington DC

54. Lincoln’s First Inauguration, another view, taken by Montgomery Meigs on March 4, 1861. Note the capitol dome under construction and the people who have climbed trees for a better view. Meigs would serve as Quartermaster General during the Civil War and one of Lincoln’s key advisors. Meigs served in the honor guard at Lincoln's funeral.

Abraham Lincoln - March 1861 - First Inauguration - Washington DC

53. Lincoln’s First Inauguration, taken by an unknown photographer in Washington on March 4, 1861. Lincoln stands under the canopy to the right of flagpole.