2-1/16x2-5/8" oval listed as Hake #3044, although different geometric designs on this brass frame. Frame holds glass ambrotype (emulsion on reverse of glass) showing the famous "Cooper Union" photo of Lincoln taken by Mathew Brady February 27, 1860, the day of Lincoln's New York City speech which did much to secure his eventual nomination as president. The most pristine examples of this piece have realized in excess of $30,000 and even examples with flaws have exceeded $10,000. This piece has missing emulsion, mostly on the left side of his image with loss to hair, part of ear, forehead, eyebrow (eyeball remains 90% intact), lower jaw line, collar and upper suit coat lapel. A thin black fabric backs the ambrotype and helps to even out the tone of the missing emulsion areas. About 80% emulsion remains intact. There is no vertical pin on the reverse but most of the original cardboard label remains, although with a vertical split line and loss of some lettering. The complete inscription once read "For President/Hon. Abraham Lincoln/Manufactured By/Geo. Clark, Jr. & Co/Ambrotype Artists/No.59 Court Street/Boston." Portions of most words forming this inscription remain visible. While obviously damaged, the image remains quite striking and a most appealing object with Mint luster on the frame. An affordable classic.