humble wooden chair gift from Abraham Lincoln

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

A wooden chair gifted to a photographer by Abraham Lincoln and used to snap five U.S. presidents is on sale for $250,000 (£160,000).  Presidents Andrew Johnson, Rutherford Hayes, James Garfield and Ulysses S. Grant all were photographed seated on the carved oak chair in Mathew Brady's studio.

Lincoln was relatively unknown when he commissioned Mr Brady, a distinguished Civil War photographer, to take his portrait ahead of the race to become the 16th President of the United States in 1860.

A wooden chair gifted to a photographer by Abraham Lincoln and used to snap five U.S. presidents is on sale for £160,000

During the shoot Mr Brady suggested Lincoln pop his collar to disguise his long neck. The future president was so pleased with the results, he used the photograph during his campaign.  After Lincoln was elected he declared Mr Brady's photograph one of the key factors that won him the presidency. continue