CDV of Confederate Army of Northern Virginia Commander Robert E. Lee, signed on mount below image, "R.E. Lee." With previous owner's inscription and a partial revenue stamp on verso, lacking a studio credit but originally taken by White & Kelly of Lexington, Virginia, ca late 1865-1866. The portion of the stamp bearing the date has been torn away. Lee appears to be wearing his familiar grey double-breasted frock coat and vest, though the collar lacks his general's stars, and his military buttons have been removed and replaced with civilian style buttons. We believe this to be one of the first portraits taken of Lee not long after his arrival in Lexington, Virginia, when by Federal law he would have been required to remove his insignia of rank and military buttons. Not published in Meredith's seminal The Face of Robert E. Lee.

A signed CDV showing a slightly different view of Lee from the same sitting was previously sold in these rooms, November 15, 2005, Historic Americana Auction, Lot 1235.