Below are some excerpts from the comparison report:

"In this comparison, we are confronted with one major obstacle. The miniature is a painting. The comparison is being made between a painting and photographs. The painting may reflect some artistic license. Compounding the problem, the Lincoln photographs are not at the same camera angle as the miniature portrait. Fortunately, there are a few photographs with close enough perspective that can be used to make some observations. I will apply a photographic comparison technique to help with these observations (see attached diagram.)"

"For the purpose of this comparison, we will assume that this artist possessed skills at an average level. To assume that the artist was unskilled would reinforce the position that the portrait is an unsuccessful rendering of Lincoln. However, since the painting does show a degree of artistic talent, we cannot make this assumption. If the artist were highly skilled, then we must conclude that the miniature painting is most definitely not Lincoln. A skilled portrait artist may use his artistic skills to make facial adjustments that flatter the client by down playing undesirable characteristics. However, it is even more important for the artist to capture a strong likeness to the subject. "

"I have chosen to use four images labeled as follows: (1) the Miniature, (2) Photo 1, (3) Photo 2, and (4) the Ink Print (see attached diagram.) The first point of comparison is the facial proportion."

"The length of the nose is clearly longer on the miniature (Line C.) This would be the opposite of the normal aging trend. As a person ages, their nose gets larger." The top of the head is also a problem when considering proportions (Line D). Lincoln's forehead is much longer than that of the miniature. This is also contrary to the normal proportional aging trend."

"Despite these contradictions, there are some proportional similarities. The individual proportions of the mouth, chin (Line E) and jaw are very similar. The nose width has a consistency between the images."

"This miniature painting would be of Lincoln at approximately 25 years of age. Most of the subject's features would be fully formed and would generally stay the same for many years after. The overall shape of the heads is similar. The square jaw, prominent cheek bones and cleft chin are clearly similarities. One problem with the head characteristics is the sunken cheeks. The miniature is lacking this feature, which is a consistent element of all images of Lincoln."

"The eye structure is missing a very telling feature of the Lincoln face. The deep-set eyes are absent from the miniature. This is a serious difference. An artist would not have left this characteristic out and this characteristic would be fully formed at 25 years of age."

"The strongest similar feature is the shape of the mouth and the structure around it. The lip shape, the philtrum, and the muzzle area are almost identical in the images."

"As stated in our earlier correspondence, I believe that it would be impossible to make a definitive conclusion as it relates to a positive identification. The miniature is a painting and, therefore, has some artist's interpretations and distortions. However based on all of the findings, it is highly unlikely that this painting is a young Lincoln."

Stephen Mancusi