Wikipedia:Featured picture candidates/Lincoln's Second Inauguration

Lincoln's Second Inauguration edit

Original - This photograph of Abraham Lincoln delivering his second inaugural address is the only known photograph of Lincoln giving a speech. Lincoln stands in the center, with papers in his hand. John Wilkes Booth is visible in the photograph, in the top row right of center (White, The Eloquent President).

Reason: (caption borrowed from Lincoln's second inaugural address). Only known photograph of Lincoln giving a speech.
Articles this image appears in: Lincoln's second inaugural address, Abraham Lincoln
Creator: Alexander Gardner, 1821-1882, photographer. (according to [1])

Support as nominator Spikebrennan (talk) 14:34, 7 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Oppose It's very difficult to find him. I'm still not sure that I did. Clegs (talk) 15:47, 7 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]
- Weak Oppose - Took me a minute to find him. he is in the very center of the image. I am not a fan of the image quality when it is shown in full size. --ZeWrestler ^Talk 19:33, 9 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]
  - Comment - So, is he the guy with the handlebar mustache standing next to the man with the high top hat? -- Grandpafootsoldier (talk) 20:56, 9 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

No, he's the guy standing up reading from a piece of paper (at least I think so). Clegs (talk) 23:21, 11 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Yeah, that looks right, and sounds right, since that guy seems to be the centre of attention and looks to be the only person vaguely giving a speech (or unless Lincoln just happened to grow a handlebar moustache for this occasion). FWIW unfortunately I can't really see enough here to support, but whatever happened to brilliant speeches like that? --jjron (talk) 07:54, 13 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

There's a white table just above the stone wall. Lincoln is standing just to the left of this. Booth is the hatless guy in the top deck, who looks like this:

and who is standing immediately to the left of a guy with a bowler hat. Spikebrennan (talk) 03:24, 14 February 2008 (UTC) Isn't anyone else finding it striking that this image is (1) apparently the only photograph of one of the most famous speeches in the history of the United States being delivered, and (2) both Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth (his assassin) are in the picture? Spikebrennan (talk) 03:26, 14 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Weak Oppose. As a Lincoln picture fan opposing this one is tough to me, but as previously commented on, it is difficult to find Lincoln, and worst of all he is out of focus. I understand that nothing can be done about that, that the image is very historic, and that for some people it will outweigh the problems of the picture. But I am a simple man and a simple photo-judge, if the focal point of the picture isn't in focus and difficult to find I have trouble voting for it. D-rew (talk) 19:05, 10 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Consider it as an illustration of the inauguration, rather than of Lincoln as an individual. This is apparently the only known photograph of Lincoln giving the (deservedly famous) address. (For the benefit of those who might not be familiar with the event, this was the speech that concluded: "With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan -- to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.") Spikebrennan (talk) 22:17, 10 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

- SUPPORT - It's Alex Gardner's photo of Lincoln as he was speaking. Come on!

Additionally, the man indicated in the crowd as being Booth, clearly is not. This man's face is full, not lean. He parts his hair on the right, not the left, as did Booth. His mustache is more like Hitler's than Booth's. There are however, two individuals who look very much like Powell(Paine)and Booth on either side of this man. Both wear hats and are equadistant from the man(not Booth)holding his hat. In fact, after a very close analysis of both, it's likely that this is Booth and Paine. As for the theory that other conspirators are in the group, directly below the President, though it makes for good drama, most, if not all, of the people immediately below the President, on the sidewalk, were either soldiers, plaine clothes detectives or police. The security presence was several thousand. Including sharpshooters on neighboring rooftops, cavalry in the streets and thousands of troops.

Not promoted MER-C 07:57, 14 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]