Daguerreotype of Harriet Lane. Full bust length view, facing right. Her hair is coiled and pinned back. She is wearing a dark jacket over a white blouse, with a white lace collar. Broach at her neck and long earrings are prominent. Gold matting around image. Image mounted inside of book-type case of black leather and red velvet inner lining. Two hook clasps.
This daguerreotype represents the earliest known image of Harriet Lane, niece of President James Buchanan. This likeness might have been photographed ca. 1845, Harriet Lane would have been about fifteen years old.
Reprint of daguerrotype of James Buchanan and Harriet Lane with President James K. Polk, circa 1846. James Buchanan is at far left, with Harriet Lane second from left. President Polk is third from right. From the collections of the International Museum of Photography at George Eastman House, Rochester, New York. File includes an article about the image from unidentified periodical and a letter to George Eastman House from Sally Smith Cahalan requesting to purchase a reprint of the image.
Provenance
Photographs from the James Buchanan Foundation institutional archives. From the collections of the International Museum of Photography at George Eastman House, Rochester, New York. Image not to be reproduced. For study purposes only.