Henry S. Saunders identifies it as a "much faded photo from a Whitman notebook"; the original is obviously severely crumpled and faded. A comparison with other photographs suggests that this image was probably taken in the early 1860s.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: ca. early 1860s
Technique: photograph
Subject: Whitman, Walt, 1819-1892
Creator of master digital image: Bayley Collection, Ohio Wesleyan University
Rights: Public Domain. This image may be reproduced without permission.
Work Type: digital image
Date: ca. 2000–ca. 2006