vintage images

Marriage of the Free Soil and Liberty parties

A comic portrayal of the alliance between Free Soil Democrats and Whigs and the more extremist abolitionist Liberty party interests during the election campaign of 1848. The factions joined to form the Free Soi... More

Picryl description: Public domain image, drawing, American, 19th centu...

Picryl description: Public domain image, drawing, American, free to use, no copyright restrictions

Pilgrims' progress. Book illustration from Library of Congress

Democratic party war-horse Andrew Jackson appears frequently in the satires of the 1844 election campaign. Here, wearing a long frock coat and tall hat, he leads a donkey carrying Democratic candidates Polk and... More

Arms of ye Confederacie, Confederate States of America.

A small card bearing a vitriolic indictment of the Confederacy. The artist particularly attacks the the institution of slavery, the foundation of Southern economy. A large shield is flanked by two figures: a pl... More

Adrift in spite of rock and tempests roar ... / / Coffin.

Democratic Party Congressmen Benjamin Franklin Butler, William Steele Holman, Samuel Jackson Randall, William Ralls Morrison, and others in sinking boat "Democracy" sailing between the Scylla of "protection" an... More

[Unidentified man, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing right, seated i...

Case: Rinhart 93. Hallmark: Rinhart 10. Barboza number: 6019.033. Stamped on brass mat: Ball & Thomas, 120 W 4th St. Cin. O. Purchase; Anthony Barboza; 1999; (DLC/PP-1999:022). Forms part of: Daguerreotype coll... More

[Unidentified man, about 70 years of age, half-length portrait, three-...

Identification of Simson based on similar photograph in Baynard, Samuel Harrison. History of the Supreme council, 330, Ancient accepted Scottish rite of freemasonry, Northern masonic jurisdiction of the United ... More

[John Davis, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing slightly left]

Whig Congressman from Massachusetts, 1825-1834; Governor of Massachusetts, 1834-1835, 1841-1843; Senator, 1835-1841, 1845-1853. Scratched on face of plate: 244; Jno. Davis. Scratched on back of plate: 453 Iden... More

[Postcard with two portraits of Lincoln and family.]

Mr. Chas. T. White with compliments of Allen H. Wright, San Diego, Cal.

[Postcard with two portraits of Lincoln and family.]

Mr. Chas. T. White with compliments of Allen H. Wright, San Diego, Cal.

"The impending crisis"--Or caught in the act

The print's title derives from the name of Hinton Rowan Helper's 1857 pamphlet "The Impending Crisis," an influential document in antislavery literature. Here the crisis is that of New York senator William H. S... More

[Portrait of the Duchesse de Mazarin]

Public domain image of portrait painting, 17th-18th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[Sam Houston, half-length portrait, three-quarters to the left, in civ...

President of Texas, 1836-1838, 1841-1844; Democratic Senator from Texas, 1846-1859. Scratched on back of plate: 233; Sam Houston, Texas. Hallmark: Rinhart 46. Identification from lithograph by Konrad in Huber, ... More

Wood River Refinery, gelatin silver print

Public domain photograph - panorama, United States, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[William Frederick Havemeyer, half-length portrait, three-quarters to ...

Mayor of New York City. Scratched on back of plate: 45 [canceled]; 49. Corners rounded. Transfer; U.S. War College; 1920; (DLC/PP-1920:46153). Forms part of: Daguerreotype collection (Library of Congress). Prod... More

[Unidentified man with beard, half-length portrait, full face]

Transfer; Manuscript Division. Forms part of: American Colonization Society Records, 1792-1964 (Library of Congress). Forms part of: Daguerreotype collection (Library of Congress). The American Colonization Soc... More

[Unidentified man with beard, half-length portrait, full face]

Transfer; Manuscript Division. Forms part of: American Colonization Society Records, 1792-1964 (Library of Congress). Forms part of: Daguerreotype collection (Library of Congress). The American Colonization Soc... More

Qualifying for a campain [sic] / Verney delin't., British Cartoon Prin...

Print shows an interior view of a room at a military academy in which British officers, in a child-like manner, demonstrate skills in hopes of securing a command for the war with the American colonies. Forms p... More

[Henry W. Longfellow, head-and-shoulders portrait]

Public domain portrait photograph, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[Occupational portrait of a carpenter, three-quarter length, seated, f...

Photographer unidentified. Case: central floral motif surrounded by lillies and leaves. Purchase/exchange; Gary Vroegindewey; 1981; (DLC/PP-1981:380R.14). Forms part of: Daguerreotype collection (Library of Congress).

The lady cop / J. Norman Lynd. - Political cartoon, public domain imag...

Illustration shows a policewoman observing a crowd of women outside a store advertising a "Sacrifice Sale of Millinery"; she is torn by her obligation to her duties as a police officer and her desire to take ad... More

The great footrace for the presidential purse (100,000 and picking) ov...

Satire on the presidential election of 1852, showing Winfield Scott, Daniel Webster, and Franklin Pierce competing in a footrace before a crowd of onlookers for a $100,000 prize (the four-year salary for a pres... More

[Alexander Barrow, half-length portrait, facing three-quarters to the ...

Whig Senator from Louisiana, 1841-1846. Written on back of plate: Barrow, La. Transfer; U.S. War College; 1920; (DLC/PP-1920:46153). Forms part of: Daguerreotype collection (Library of Congress). Produced by Ma... More

"When I wish to catch rats, I first stop their holes" - Gen'l Scott

Print shows an anti-Confederacy cartoon advocating General Scott's blockade of the South, with Union ships in a circle outside Confederate centers labeled "Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah, Mississippi, Manassas G... More

An elephant on his hands / L.M. Glackens.

Illustration shows President Taft as a ringmaster watching two men labeled "Radical Republican" and "Conservative Republican" who are fighting as they get in a tattered "G.O.P." elephant costume. Caption: Ring... More

[William Cullen Bryant, head-and-shoulders portrait]

Public domain reproduction of portrait art print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[Jacob Collamer, half-length portrait, three-quarters to left]

Whig Congressman from Vermont, 1843-1849; U.S. Postmaster General, 1849-1850; Republican Senator, 1855-1865. Identification from engraving by A.H. Ritchie, Daguerd. by Brady, N.Y., engraved for the American Rev... More

The Mall, Central Park, Panoramic Photograph

H17593 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright deposit; Falk; May 12, 1902; DLC/PP-1902:41614. Copyright claimant's address: Waldorf-Astoria, N.Y. No. 4.

[General T.J. Jackson, three-quarter length portrait]

Picryl description: Public domain image of an American Civil War, military forces and conflict, officer, uniform, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

[James M. Priest, three-quarter length portrait, full face, seated at ...

Vice President of Liberia under Daniel Bashiel Warner, 1864-1867; third president of Liberia, 1867. Photographer unidentified. Was part of LOT 8554. Written on back of plate: James M. Priest, Senator from Sinoe... More

Lasell Seminary, Auburndale, Massachusetts., Panoramic Photograph

H37452 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright deposit; E. Chickering & Co.; October 30, 1903; DLC/PP-1903:41961. On front: "Copyright by E. Chickering & Co., 1903, reproduction forbidden".

[David Dudley Field, half-length portrait, three-quarters to right]

Lawyer. Identification from reproduction of photograph of Field as an older man in The Green Bag, February, 1891. Scratched on face of plate: 241; D. Dudley Field. Scratched on back of plate: 84; David Dudley ... More

Panorama of Iriquois [i.e. Iroquois] Theater after the fire, Dec. 31, ...

H42858 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright deposit; Henry Albert Ericson February 29, 1904. No. 23. Exhibit loan 4105-L #130.9. Old call number: PAN US GEOG - Maryland, no. 17

Nikolaevskʹ n. Amurʺ Kitaĭski︠a︡ shampīnʹki i gorodskoĭ nristani.

Print shows Chinese sampans in the harbor at Nikolayevsk-on-Amur, Russia. Message on verso dated February 20, 1910. Forms part of: Winokur-Munblit Collection of the Russian Empire Postcards (Library of Congres... More

Congressional pugilists - Engraving, Public domain image

A crude portrayal of a fight on the floor of Congress between Vermont Representative Matthew Lyon and Roger Griswold of Connecticut. The row was originally prompted by an insulting reference to Lyon on Griswold... More

Postcard from Mabel Hubbard Bell to Alexander Graham Bell, April 22, 1...

Postcard from Mrs. M. C. Jones to Alexander Graham Bell, July 14

[Unidentified girl and boy]. 19th century, Library of Congress collect...

Case: Rinhart 32. Stamped on brass mat: F. Grice. Barboza number: 6019.007. Hallmark: Rinhart 29. Purchase; Anthony Barboza; 1999; (DLC/PP-1999:022). Forms part of: Daguerreotype collection (Library of Congress).

Cartoon - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Public domain photograph related to child labor, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Familiar ghosts! Sketch 1. Ghost of a village lawyer!!

A lawyer, appearing as a full-length, profile figure of a well-dressed man with a large head, wearing a three-cornered hat, speaks to a peasant wearing a smock and clutching a pitchfork. Inscribed above the law... More

[John Hanson, three-quarter length portrait, three-quarters view, wear...

Photographer unidentified. Was part of LOT 8554. Written on back of plate: John Hanson, Senator from Bassa Co. Transfer; Manuscript Division. Forms part of: American Colonization Society Records, 1792-1964 (Lib... More

[Washington Irving, half-length portrait, three-quarters to the left]

Author; U.S. Minister to Spain, 1842-1846. Scratched on back of plate: 250; Washington Irving. Identification from engravings by S. Hollyer and others. The original Plumbe daguerreotype is reproduced in Washing... More

[View of San Francisco harbor] - Victorian era public domain image

Picryl description: Public domain image of a daguerreotype portrait, early photography, 19th century, Victorian style, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Antonʺ Chekhovʺ - Public domain portrait photograph

Photomechanical print shows portrait of Anton Pavlovich Chekhov seated in chair. Manuscript notation on recto. Manuscript address on verso. Forms part of: Winokur-Munblit Collection of the Russian Empire Postc... More

Junc't., Commonwealth Ave. and Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts.

H37361 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright deposit; E. Chickering & Co.; October 27, 1903. On front: "Copyright by E. Chickering & Co., 1903, reproduction forbidden".

Public characters, British Cartoon Print, Thomas Rowlandson

Heads of well-known people, arranged in a medley, placed behind lines intersecting diagonally which simulate crossed tapes forming a rack for cards or letters. In the center are Fox and Pitt facing each other. ... More

A political concert; the vocal parts by 1. Miss America, 2. Franklin, ...

Print shows a Native woman representing America and Britannia standing in the center holding a pole topped with a liberty cap, they are joined by Benjamin Franklin, Charles James Fox, Augustus Keppel, Lord Shel... More

Abraham's dream!--"Coming events cast their shadows before"

The artist portrays a President tormented by nightmares of defeat in the election of 1864. The print probably appeared late in the campaign. (The Library's copy was deposited for copyright on September 22.) Lin... More

Russische grenzsoldaten in Sonntagsstimmung

Print shows six Russian border guards and one woman in dance poses with one border guard playing accordion. Forms part of: Winokur-Munblit Collection of the Russian Empire Postcards (Library of Congress). Purc... More

New York City, 1908, Panoramic Photograph

H116069 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright deposit; Geo. P. Hall & Son; September 23, 1908; DLC/PP-1908:43361. No. 6082.

[Unidentified children, possibly Linus and Mary Alice "Pett" Barbour]

No case, only velvet pad remains. No electronic surrogate available. Transfer; Manuscript Division (Lucian Barbour Papers); 1999; (DLC/PP-1999:087). Forms part of: Daguerreotype collection (Library of Congress)... More

Lincoln and his contemporaries - Public domain portrait drawing

Three scenes showing: Lincoln with Stanton, Seward, Sumner, Douglas, Seymore, and Chase, in 1858; Lincoln and six legislators, with the U.S. Capitol in background, in 1865; and Lincoln standing, with dome of th... More

Mayo Indians with bows & arrows joining Obregon in Rio Mayo

Postcard shows a line of men with bows drawn. To the left a man beats a drum and another raises a sword. In the center of the photo a man dressed in dark clothing holds a case. Caption continues: These are all... More

Two's company three's a crowd! / Keppler.

Illustration shows a woman labeled "Votes for Women" holding a paper labeled "The Ballot", parting a curtain on a darkened room where two men labeled "Honest Graft" and "Political Boss" are sitting, huddled ove... More

Elisha Roosevelt sicketh the bears upon the bad boys of Wall Street / ...

Illustration shows Theodore Roosevelt standing on a hill in the background as two large bears labeled "Interstate Commerce Commission" and "Federal Courts" break-up a crowd of Wall Street capitalists and stock ... More

Reflection. To be, or not to be?? / [I. R. Cruikshank]., British Carto...

George IV, looking at himself in a pierglass, starts back at the sight of his wife, crowned, looking over the shoulder of his own reflection, of which a cheek, whisker, and startled eye are visible... (Source: ... More

Cartoon - Political cartoon, public domain image

Public domain photograph related to child labor, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Those roentjen [i.e. Roentgen ] rays, Political Cartoon

Public domain photograph of 19th-century drawing, person, portrait, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

One panoramic photograph showing Hanover Inn at right of picture and t...

Crowds gathered along street watching horses and carriages riding toward campus. May be Homecoming or Founders' Day activities. H52335 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright deposit; E. Chickering & Co.; October 29, 1... More

[John Francis, half-length portrait, three-quarters to the right]

Physician; editor of the American Medical and Philosophical Register; first president of the New York Academy of Medicine; historian and author. Scratched on face of plate: 138. Scratched on back of plate: 262.... More

[John Quincy Adams, head-and-shoulders portrait]

Public domain scan of portrait art print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[Edward Wilmot Blyden, half-length portrait, facing front, holding boo...

Liberian intellectual. Public domain photograph of 19th-century daguerreotype portrait, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

A New catamaran expedition!!, British Cartoon Print

British cartoon showing Englishman, at Walmer Castle, and sailboats facing French fort. The Englishman is saying, "If this does not succeed I'll never catamaran again as long as I live." "The Bilingsgate cutter... More

The blessings of peace, British Cartoon Print

Print shows George III receiving advice from a large group of ministers and politicans, all are identified by number and corresponding legend, following ratification of peace treaty by the U.S. Congress on Apri... More

[Postcard. Ford's Theatre. The house in which Lincoln died.]

Public domain photograph of theater building, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[Unidentified man, three-quarter length portrait, three-quarters to th...

Scratched on back of plate: 245; 254. Corners trimmed. Alternative identification: Charles Francis Hall, 1821-1871, arctic explorer. Transfer; U.S. War College; 1920; (DLC/PP-1920:46153). Forms part of: Daguerr... More

Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts., Panoramic Photograph

H32481 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright deposit; E. Chickering & Co.; October 30, 1903; DLC/PP-1903:41961. On front: "Copyright by E. Chickering & Co., 1903, reproduction forbidden".

The state tinkers. Book illustration from Library of Congress, British...

Three men breaking a large bowl which is cracked and patched. Lord North is shown chiselling inside the bowl, behind the bowl is Lord Sandwich, next to Lord Sandwich is a man identified as Lord George Germain. ... More

Picryl description: Public domain image, drawing, American, 19th centu...

Picryl description: Public domain image, drawing, American, free to use, no copyright restrictions

[Occupational portrait of a peddler, full-length, standing, facing fro...

Case: plain leather, push button. Stamped on mat: Myers. Purchase/exchange; Gary Vroegindewey; 1981; (DLC/PP-1981:380R.11). Forms part of: Daguerreotype collection (Library of Congress). Exhibited: "Rufus Porte... More

[Henry Clay, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing front]

Republican Senator from Kentucky, 1806-1807, 1810-1811; Congressman, 1811-1814, 1815-1821, 1823-1825; U.S. Secretary of State, 1825-1829; Whig Senator, 1831-1842, 1849-1852; Democratic Republican candidate for ... More

Ô qu'el d'Estain - A drawing of a lion with a bird on it's back

Print shows in a medallion, within an oblong frame, a cock, a lion, and a rattlesnake attacking a leopard - this scene labeled "Tu la voulu"; outside the circle, in the four corners of the oblong frame, are the... More

[C.C. Clay, half-length portrait, head slightly to the right]

Lawyer; Democratic Congressman from Alabama (Senator, 1853-1861); Confederate Senate, 1861-1863 Identification from woodcut by A.F. after Brady in Harper's Weekly, February 25, 1860, page 116. Scratched on back... More

[William King Sebastian, half-length portrait, three-quarters to the l...

Democratic Senator from Arkansas, 1848-1861. Scratched on face of plate: Sebastian; Sebastan. Scratched on back of plate: 246. Hallmark: [asterisk] Transfer; U.S. War College; 1920. (DLC/PP-1920:46153). Forms p... More

W. Mitchell McAllister - Daguerreotype, Public domain

Case: scroll design. Attributed to William Young McAllister. Etched on plate: W. Mitchell McAllister, Ap. 3, 1844. Note attached to case: Mitchell when a baby, 1843. Hallmark: Rinhart 21, except with 30 instead... More

Stop! Look!! Listen!!! / Keppler., Political Cartoon

Illustration shows Theodore Roosevelt charging through air at a high rate of speed at an extremely large President Taft who is seated on top of the White House. Uncle Sam appears as a professor of physics "to w... More

The people's line--Take care of the locomotive

Incumbent President Martin Van Buren drives "Uncle Sam's Cab," a carriage pulled by a blindered horse, which wrecks on a pile of "Clay." The carriage founders in the path of a locomotive, really an assemblage o... More

Social qualities of our candidate, Political Cartoon

Reports of his alcoholism haunted Democratic candidate Franklin Pierce during the 1852 campaign. The matter is taken up here with mocking reference to the Maine Liquor Law of 1851, a landmark prohibition measur... More

A "dodge" that wont work - Public domain portrait drawing

Greeley, behind whom Jefferson Davis with his cat-o-nine tails and chain, appeals to Negroes "Sam" and "Ceasar" for their vote. They will not vote for Greeley, for they "see Jeff Davis and behind him is the old... More

Picryl description: Public domain image, drawing, American, 19th centu...

Picryl description: Public domain image, drawing, American, free to use, no copyright restrictions

Letting the cat out of the bag!!

A figurative portrayal of the rift within the Republican party resulting from the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for the presidency in 1860. Here New York senator and would-be nominee William H. Seward watches a... More

[Unidentified man, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing front]

Case: Rinhart 131 variant. Hallmark: partially cut off. Appears to be Rinhart 29. Stamped on brass mat: F. Grice. Barboza number: 6019.051. Purchase; Anthony Barboza; 1999; (DLC/PP-1999:022). Forms part of: Dag... More

Rochester, N.Y.. Cityscape photograph

Picryl description: Public domain image of an ancient city, historic place, stone buildings architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

The funeral procession of the celebrated Mr. Jonathan Wild Thief-Taker...

A poem, "The Complaint of Jonathan Wild," surrounded by images of a funeral/procession, rows of people hanging from gallows, and other scenes. Forms part of British Cartoon Prints Collection (Library of Congres... More

[George Perkins Marsh, half-length portrait, head three-quarters to ri...

Scholar; Whig Congressman from Vermont, 1843-1849; U.S. Minister to Turkey and Italy. Identification from painting by George P.A. Healy in possession of Dartmouth College. Scratched on back of plate: 101. Hallm... More

[George Edmund Badger, half-length portrait, facing three-quarters to ...

Whig Senator from North Carolina, 1846-1855; U.S. Secretary of the Navy, 1841. Hallmark: 40M. Scratched on back of plate: 107. Transfer; U.S. War College; 1920; (DLC/PP-1920:46153). Forms part of: Daguerreotype... More

[Postcard, 1874 Feb. 23], Wien [to] H. Levi

Public domain scan of manuscript related to German history, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

[Unidentified man, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing right]

Label on cover glass: Mullatto (sic) 50 Photographer attribution based on John Craig's reference to an identified daguerreotype stamped "Barnes, N.Y." Case: oval motif with scrolls. Barboza number: 6019.003. S... More

New York skyline. Cityscape photograph, Panoramic Photograph

H110083 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright deposit; Irving Underhill; May 2, 1908. Copyright claimant's address: New York. No. H-29.

Cincinnatus in retirement falsely supposed to represent Jesuit-Pad dri...

Cartoon showing Edmund Burke, as an Irish jesuit, seated at a table eating potatoes from a pot labeled "Relick No. 1. used by St. Peter." Upon the appointment of Shelburne, following the death of Rockingham, Bu... More

[James Skivring Smith, three-quarter length portrait, three-quarters v...

Smith was born in Charleston, South Carolina. Arrived in Liberia in 1833. Secretary of State of Liberia, 1856-1860. Senator, Grand Bassa County, 1868-1869. Vice president under Edward Roye, 1870-1871. Superinte... More

Bradley bathing pavilion, Asbury Park

Public domain photograph - panorama, United States, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Cartoon. - Drawing. Public domain image., Political Cartoon

Public domain photograph related to child labor, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

The return of the "prodigal father" at the "Puck" office - drawn by hi...

Print shows Joseph F. Keppler returning to the "PUCK Office" after a vacation in Europe, laden with a string of "Frankfurt" sausages, "Paris" wine, "Neuchâtel" cheese from "Austria", an umbrella labeled "London... More

The great spirit / Keppler ; drawn by Jos. Keppler.

Illustration shows a Native man sitting before a small fire in a wilderness setting, holding a long pipe, and with a red-striped blanket over his shoulders; he is looking back, with trepidation, over his right ... More

The tread mill - Political cartoon, public domain image

Cartoon marked New York World shows children turning a wheel labeled "Profits on child labor."

A Woman of all trades, from Covent Garden, British Cartoon Print

Forms part of British Cartoon Prints Collection (Library of Congress). Public domain reproduction of political cartoon, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Practical illustration of the Fugitive Slave Law / E.C. del.

A satire on the antagonism between Northern abolitionists on the one hand, and Secretary of State Daniel Webster and other supporters of enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Here abolitionist William ... More

[Postcard of the Lincoln National Memorial, near Hodgenville, Ky.]

Public domain photo of a monument, historic place, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

The Curb Market, Broad St., Panoramic Photograph

H17592 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright deposit; Falk; May 12, 1902. Copyright claimant's address: Waldorf-Astoria, New York. No. 2a.