How to Sell Your Mathew Brady Photo

To auction, sell or consign your Mathew Brady photo, please email [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auction’s (http://www.NateDSanders.com).

Who Was Mathew Brady?

Mathew Brady is sometimes called the father of photojournalism as he was one of America’s earliest photographers. He is known for documenting thousands of images from the Civil War and with the use of a mobile darkroom he was able to share these images with the public. Mathew Brady also took portraits of many public figures such as John Quincy Adams and Abraham Lincoln. Brady also pioneered daguerreotypy, the most common photographic processing technique from about 1840 to 1860, in the states.

Abraham Lincoln Signed CDV as President — John Hay Certifies Signature as Authentic on Verso

Exceptionally rare Abraham Lincoln signed carte-de-visite photograph, taken by Alexander Gardner in 1861 and signed as President. Signed ”A. Lincoln” below the seated portrait of Lincoln. John Hay, Lincoln’s private secretary, authenticates the signature upon the verso by writing, ”I certify that the President’s signature is genuine / John Hay”. With ”Brady’s National Portrait Gallery” backstamp. Measures 2.5” x 3.75”. Very good with some foxing and wear, but with a strong signature by Lincoln. With provenance from Profiles in History and with a COA from Charles Hamilton. Sold for $49,913.

Large 6.5″ x 8.5″ Albumen Photo of Lincoln Conspirator John Surratt in the Zouave Uniform in Which He Was Captured — Scarce Image Taken by Mathew Brady

Extremely rare 1867 albumen photograph of Lincoln conspirator John Surratt in the Papal Zouave military uniform in which he was captured. Large photo taken by Mathew Brady’s studio measures 6.5″ x 8.5″. Surratt – the son of conspirator Mary Surratt, who were hung along with George Azelrodt, Lewis Powell and David Herold – had earlier connived with John Wilkes Booth to kidnap Lincoln but denied any participation in the assassination plot. Surratt had met Booth while a confederate spy and participated in many secret meetings with the conspirators at his mother’s boarding house. After Lincoln’s assassination he fled to Europe where he served in the Papal Zouaves. He was eventually extradited to the U.S. where he stood trial but was never convicted of conspiracy because the statute of limitations had expired by the time his trial concluded. This extremely rare picture was taken by Mathew Brady and Co. in 1867 after his capture and is stamped by the Brady studio. It was sold to the public during Surratt’s high-profile 1867 trial. Photo is oval, measuring 6.5″ x 8.5″, and is mounted to 10″ x 12″ with a band of gold trim. Photo is captioned, in part: “Entered according to Act of Congress, by John H. Surratt, in the year 1868, in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the District of Columbia. John H. Surratt, in the Papal Zouave uniform in which he was captured”. Significant dampstaining on upper right, two chips out of upper edge, some foxing and a discreet 1.5″ tear along the left. Picture is nice and clear. Good condition. Sold for $2,756.

Civil War Photo from “Brady’s Incidents of the War” Series — 4th N.Y. Artillery at Ft. Corcoran, Va. Measuring 14″ x 10″. 

Mathew Brady’s “Incidents of the War” series 1862 photo: “Near Head Quarters 4th N.Y. Artillery. Col. Doubleday / Ft. Corcoran. Va”. When the Civil War began, Brady and his field photographers shot many war views that were later published by the E. & H. T. Anthony Co. in “Incidents of the War.” Albumen measures 14″ x 10″, mounted to card stock measuring 20.75″ x 16″. Dampstain to lower right, just touching photo, and moderate overall foxing. Very good condition. Sold for $1,177.

Mathew Brady Civil War Photo Circa 1864 — Rare Albumen Photo of U.S.S. Pawnee Crew in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina

Civil War photograph of the U.S.S. Pawnee crew in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, under Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren commanding the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. The 8.75″ x 6.75″ albumen photo, dating to 1864-65, is identified as a Brady photo from other, almost exact photos of the crew. Mounted on a 13.25″ x 16.25″ album page. Photo shows minor foxing; album page shows significant dampstaining and edge wear. Overall very good condition. Sold for $849.

Mathew Brady Civil War Photo — ”Inflating Balloon Intrepid”

1862 CDV photograph by Mathew Brady of ”Professor Lowe inflating Balloon Intrepid from Gas in Balloon Constitution” from Brady’s Album Gallery No. 424. The balloon used to observe Confederate movements in the field was photographed here by Brady while it was launched during the battle of Fair Oaks. Statement printed on verso reads, ”The photographs of this series were taken directly from nature, at considerable cost. Warning is therefore given that legal proceedings will be at once instituted against any party infringing the copyright.” Photo shows minor fading and wear to upper edge and glue residue to verso, else very good condition. Sold for $1,008.

Martin Van Buren CDV — Well-Known Mathew Brady Image Printed by Anthony

Martin Van Buren CDV taken in the late 1850’s by Mathew Brady. Van Buren served the young nation in many capacities before becoming the eighth President in 1837: attorney general and governor of New York, U.S. senator, ambassador to England, Secretary of State and Vice President under Andrew Jackson. CDV is stamped on the verso: ”E. & H.T. Anthony, 501 Broadway, New York. / From Photographic Negative in Brady’s National Portrait Gallery”. Very good condition. Sold for $349.

To auction, sell or consign your Mathew Brady photo, please email [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auction’s (http://www.NateDSanders.com).

FAQs

How do I consign or sell my Mathew Brady photo?
It’s never been easier to sell your photo at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Email a description and photos of your item to [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible with a free appraisal.

This sounds great and I’d like to move forward. What’s the consignment process like at Nate D. Sanders Auctions?
We’ll send you more information about our auction house along with an agreement to review. Your item will appear in our next auction. Unlike many auction houses, we hold monthly auctions and pay you within an industry-leading 45 days following the auction.

What elements determine the value of a Mathew Brady photo?
The value of your photo can vary based on condition, subject matter and provenance.