Mary Surat CdV, Lincoln Conspirator
Following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the dramatic conspiracy trial that followed, photographs of the Booth, already well-known as an actor, and the other conspirators were highly sought after. Photographers offered CdV’s of Booth and the other conspirators for sale to a public mourning Lincoln’s death and fascinated with the trial. There were, however, no known images of Conspirator Mary Surratt. The public wanted to see and own a picture of the woman accused of involvement in the plot so photographers created CdVs of Mrs. Surratt with the name mis-spelled and a likeness fabricated. The public purchased and filled their albums with these fraudulent “Mrs Surat” images, with no idea that the woman pictured was not the assassin’s accomplice. The identity of the woman offered as  “Mrs Surat” is unknown. Despite this, period “Mrs Surat” CdVS are highly sought after by collectors.
$485.00 SOLD