Historic 19th-Century Albumen Photograph of the Execution of the Lincoln Conspirators—Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell, David Herold, and George Atzerodt

Albumen print, 8.25 x 6.25. Striking 19th-century photograph depicting the July 7, 1865 execution of the four conspirators convicted in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. The image shows the scaffold at the Washington Arsenal with Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell (Payne), David Herold, and George Atzerodt hooded on the lower platform moments before the drop, while military officials and witnesses stand above.

The photograph derives from the original negative taken by Civil War photographer Alexander Gardner, who documented the execution in a series of historic views. This full-scaffold composition ranks among the most powerful and iconic visual records of the aftermath of Lincoln’s assassination. Notably, Surratt became the first woman executed by the United States federal government.

With its characteristic tonal softness and atmospheric fading consistent with period albumen production, this is an exceptionally important Civil War image and one of the most consequential photographic documents of 19th-century America.

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