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Primary sourcePhotograph1860s

William Lloyd Garrison carte de visite

Warren's (studio signature) · 1860s

A small sepia carte de visite photograph of Garrison in profile, signed by the Warren's studio. It dates from the 1860s and circulated among his supporters.

Shows how Garrison's image was sold and collected as a likeness among supporters during the Civil War era.

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Sepia-toned carte de visite photograph of an elderly bald man in profile facing right, wearing wire-rimmed spectacles, dark coat, bow tie, and white collar, in an oval vignette on a cream card mount. Signed 'Warren's' in script at the bottom.
Warren's, William Lloyd Garrison carte de visite, 1860s.

About this source

What it is

This is a sepia-toned carte de visite, a small photographic card. It shows an elderly bald man in profile facing right, wearing wire-rimmed spectacles, a dark coat, a bow tie and a white collar. The likeness sits in an oval vignette on a cream card mount and is signed 'Warren's' in script at the bottom. The photograph is from the 1860s, the Civil War era.

Why it matters

Carte de visite portraits were inexpensive and often collected, so a well-known face could be shared among friends and supporters. The curator's note says this image shows how Garrison's likeness circulated as a collectible during the 1860s. It reveals how the abolition movement used everyday objects to build public recognition for its leaders.

Look closer

  • Why might a photograph be shown in profile rather than facing the viewer?
  • What does the signature on the card tell you about who produced it and how it was sold?
  • How might a small, inexpensive portrait like this have been used by supporters during the war?

This photograph is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of William Lloyd Garrison on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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