[Daguerreotype] President Millard Fillmore & Family

Grouping of three daguerreotypes presented in a pair of 9k gold lockets depicting a from-life view of President Millard Fillmore (1800-1874), a portrait of his wife, Abigail Powers Fillmore (d. 1853), and a portrait of their daughter, Mary Abigail Fillmore (d. 1854). Both lockets are inscribed “M. A. Fillmore” and “1855.” The women’s portraits have their initials engraved on the bezel of their respective lockets, which also contain their braided hair. Larger diam. 1 ½ in.; smaller diam. 1" in.

The immediate years following his Presidency were tragic for Millard Fillmore, who suffered the loss of Abigail in early 1853 and Mary in June of 1854. Abigail succumbed to pneumonia she caught at Franklin Pierce’s inauguration, while Mary died of cholera. Abigail was Fillmore’s teenage sweetheart and a stalwart supporter of his political ambition.The quick succession of Abigail and their only daughter’s death caused Fillmore to enter a prolonged period of bereavement.

A precious remembrance of Abigail and Mary, the intimate nature of these lockets suggest they were owned by President Fillmore himself or a family member.

This is a rare opportunity to acquire an original photograph of an American President from the daguerreian era, which are almost exclusively held by institutions.

Millard Fillmore (1800-1874) was the 13th President of the United States, serving from 1850 to 1853. Born in a log cabin in upstate New York, Fillmore experienced a humble upbringing marked by poverty and the early death of his father. Despite facing adversity, he displayed a strong aptitude for learning and worked diligently to obtain an education. Fillmore studied law and eventually established a successful legal practice in Buffalo, New York. His entry into politics came through the Anti-Masonic Party, later aligning with the Whigs, rising through the ranks to become a prominent figure in New York politics, serving in various government positions, including as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and as Comptroller of New York. In 1848, he was elected as Zachary Taylor's Vice President, and upon Taylor's death in 1850, Fillmore assumed the presidency. As president, Fillmore faced significant challenges, notably the contentious issue of slavery. He supported the Compromise of 1850, which aimed to resolve tensions between free and slave states, although it proved controversial and divisive. Fillmore's presidency also saw the opening of diplomatic relations with Japan and the signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa. Despite his efforts, Fillmore's tenure was marked by political turmoil, and he failed to secure his party's nomination for a second term. After leaving office, Fillmore remained active in public life, advocating for various causes, including education and philanthropy. He passed away in 1874, leaving behind a complex legacy as a pragmatic leader who navigated turbulent times in American history.

[Presidents, Ephemera, Jewelry, Historic Photography, Early Photography, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes]