Beschreibung:

GRANT, Ulysses S.]. BRADY, Mathew, Photographer . Cabinet Card photograph, INSCRIBED AND SIGNED BY BRADY ("To J.E. Kelly from M.B. Brady"), taken in Washington, ca.1866. 6½ x 4¼ in., verso with backstamp "Brady Photo Wash. D.C.," edges a bit chipped, catching one letter of inscription. "BRADY, HOW'LL THIS DO?": BRADY'S PORTRAIT OF GRANT INSCRIBED BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER A rare cabinet with an even rarer insciption and signature of Brady, and with an interesting anecdote about the taking of the photograph. James E. Kelley, to whom this unique cabinet is inscribed, was a founder of the Art Student's League, and as an artist frequently contributed to the Century magazine, Scribner's Monthly and St. Nicholas . He executed portraits of a number of eminent military and political figures, including Grant, and it is likely that he became acquainted with Brady at the latter's New York studio. In the portrait--a striking sepia-toned image with strong shadows--Grant is seated, very informally, one leg crossed over the other, in his full general's uniform with prominent four-star epaulettes. On the verso, in ink, Kelly has noted an interesting anecdote told him by Brady: "Genl. Parker told me this ...and No., 2 are the best ones of Grant. Brady told me that Grant had been posing for him, when Grant went over and took this pose saying Brady how'll this do. Kelley." Provenance : Charles Hamilton Sale 130, lot 49, 1980.