Early Photo of the General Post Office Building in Washington DC (1850)

 

Photo of the General Post Office building in Washington, D.C., probably taken in July 1850. The building appears partially draped in dark mourning bunting to memorialize President Zachary Taylor who had died on July 9, 1850. This makes it probably the earliest extant photo showing memorialization of a recently deceased US President. Taken by the Langenheim brothers and originally published as a salted paper print.

Source: J. Paul Getty Museum.