Reading the Emancipation Proclamation.

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  SKU: 101450

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• ARTIST: Henry Herrick

• PUBLISHER: Published by Lucius Stebbins, Hartford.

• MEDIUM: Engraving.

  DATE: 1864.

• EDITION SIZE: Image size 13 1/2 x 17 1/2" plus title and margins. (and vignette Lincoln image).

• DESCRIPTION: H.W. Herrick Del; J.W. Watts, Sc.<br><br> The artist Henry W. Herrick, rejoicing in the passing of the Emancipation Proclamation painted this scene depicting a slave family, and visitors in their cabin, gathered around a Union soldier as he reads the Proclamation from a newspaper. A torch held up by a boy illuminates both the newspaper and the reactions of the occupants to the announcement, which run the gamut from astonishment and jubilation to uncertainty and prayerfulness. When published, the print was accompanied by a pamphlet (not present here and rarely found), which included a “Description of the Engraving”:<br><br> Old man at the right with folded hands, Grand-father; old lady at the left with cane in hand, Grand-mother; man leaning on ladder, the father; woman with child in her arms, the mother; lad swings his hat, oldest son; little girl, oldest daughter; infant in the arms of its mother. Young woman with two children, the house servant of her master, not belonging to the cabin but happened to be in on the occasion. Party reading, Union soldier. The internal view of the cabin is true to nature. The stone chimney, garrett [sic], ladder, side of bacon, rough cradle, piece of sugar cane and cotton balls, etc., all combine to give a correct idea of the slaves home.<br><br> The publisher Lucius Stebbins provided further commentary on the print in an advertisement he included in a book entitled Life and Death in Rebel Prisons, which sheds some light on how it was meant to be viewed and by whom. Presenting it as a “new national engraving,” he noted:<br><br> This is a beautiful illustration of a great event in the world’s history—the emancipation of slavery in the United States will ever be so considered by all civilized nations for all time to come. The sight of this engraving will always produce happy reflections in the minds of every Christian and philanthropist, and should adorn the dwelling of every family in the country. It is the most appropriate illustration that can be made, as it represents the only way in which the glorious news could reach the downtrodden and oppressed slaves, viz.: through the faithful soldier, without whom the Proclamation would have remained a dead letter. The design is entirely original, by a bank note artist, and is truly elegant. The engraving is by one of the best workmen in the country, and is superbly executed.<br><br>

• ADDITIONAL INFO:

• CONDITION: Good condition save for some remnants of damp staining in upper margin.

• REFERENCE:

• CATEGORIES: 18th-19th Century Subjects , Historical , Civil War