[BigJJ]

Best of luck with regard to your decision.

If opinion is sought today, it is - for Type (1,2,3,4) assignment - and for photo identification research - who the photographer and/or photo/news company is, when the picture was taken, where the picture was taken, and who the picture is of. This board has filled in on the latter.

Been much focus on type (1,2,3,4) identification instead of the true research arm. There is nothing prohibiting an authentication letter from adding interesting background regarding the import of the photo. In other words, with regard to authentication today, there is much slabbing, assigning, numbering, rather than bringing the piece to life with actually exciting information on the piece.
But if you give us who took the photo and when (which often takes much research) - and Why (this is a Huge missing part in my opinion today) - is this likely a circa 1860 photo as Abe has no beard, was it likely taken at the White House, in a certain room, shortly after being sworn in, at the very onset of the Civil War - for the purpose of - presenting the newly sworn-in President on posters raising money for the Union. Would love to see more writing and interesting information on authentication letters rather than slabbing (do not like for photos), assigning, numbering.

When evaluating a photo, a photo evaluator should ask, and answer to the extent possible, Why was this photo taken?

Best