bluezzzzz Loc: Stamping Ground, KY

On Netflix there is a Discovery Channel program on the investigation of a newly surfaced photo allegedly taken at the deathbed of Abraham Lincoln on the morning after he was shot.

Fascinating, the steps that are necessary to go through to prove or disprove a claim such as this.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-ugly-battle-over-an-alleged-abraham-lincoln-deathbed-photo

pendennis

"The Beast" is rather skeptical of the claim, as am I. The process used for the photo is somewhat easy to reproduce, and keeping the "photo" in a safe deposit box, doesn't lend anything to its alleged authenticity.

It needs to be subject to rigorous scientific testing in the open light of day. The age and composition of the chemicals could be tested (carbon dating?), as well as the glass.

I'm quite skeptical, also. I've read a number of quoted accounts from those in attendance at the Patterson House, but none ever cited any postmortem pictures.

I've become quite disillusioned with the "breathless" quality of a lot of The Discovery Channel's programming.

bluezzzzz Loc: Stamping Ground, KY

I didn't even read the Daily Beast article, using it only for a link to put in the post that would lead one to the actual Netflix Discovery Channel program. I actually watched the program.

The lack of postmortem pictures at the time was at the express orders of Secretary of State William Seward, so any clandestine photos would have been severely punished, and so kept strictly under wraps, and within a family.

The investigator goes through rigorous research to find a window of opportunity to take such a photo, the type of photo (ambrotype) and whether the process was still being used in 1865, the room where Lincoln was moved to and where he died, the layout of that house and its occupants, and the chain of custody of the photo through the years.

She also had ballistic gel studies done with modern weapons and with a replica derringer of the murder weapon, and discussed with medical experts those tests. This was a real eye-opener for me.

Facial recognition experts studied the photo and compared it with the last four known photos of Lincoln, and came away convinced it is him.

Go back and actually watch the program and then make up your mind.

Marshall

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

I agree, but carbon dating isn't that precise when you are looking for a one year window.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

The facial recognition software was far from conclusive, I think it was 72% or thereabout.

The scar and facial wrinkles were pretty convincing.

The hair was not, nor was the bedding of which there are verified photos of.

This is not the first Lincoln death photo to have emerged. The rest have been proven hoaxes. This is the most convincing.

I remain unconvinced either way.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Many of the original cable channels, which originally provided great science or history programming, have degenerated into reality shows, competition cooking, supernatural, or shark week type, sensational programming. I really miss the original History Channel and Discovery Channel content.

Stan

Mr Bill 2011 Loc: southern Indiana

Ditto!

bobbyjohn Loc: Dallas, TX

Dunno why that website cut off the top half of Lincoln's head, but here is the full photo. Judge for yourself.

(Download)