Price: $3,750.00
SKU: 103149
ARTIST: John Littlefield
PUBLISHER: Published by John Littlefield, Washington, DC
MEDIUM: Engraving
DATE: 1869
EDITION SIZE: Image size 29 5/8 x 22 3/4" (72.2 x 57.8 cm)
DESCRIPTION: <b>A fine life-sized engraved portrait of the martyred President.</b><br><br> The oval portrait is surrounded by an oak leaf ribbon, at the bottom of the ribbon in a broken chain representing the breaking of slavery. Surrounding the ribbon is a rectangular faux marble face with the simple title <b>Lincoln.</b><br><br> The artist and publisher of this print John H. Littlefield was a painter, legal aid and friend of Abraham Lincoln. Born in Cicero, Illinois and supposedly worked in Lincoln's law office in 1858-60. With Lincoln’s nomination, Littlefield began stumping across the state on Lincoln’s behalf. Littlefield made over 60 speeches. In 1862 he was given a job at the Treasury Department. After Lincoln's assassination, he painted this portrait of Lincoln based on Matthew Brady's 1864 photograph. He than had it engraved by Johann Heinrich "Henry" Gugler. The German born and trained Gugler worked at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing which is likely where he met Littlefield. The plate took three years to engrave and is considered to be his masterpiece. He was paid over $10,000 for the work. The original engraving plate is in possession the Milwaukee County Historical Society.<br><br> In 1928 the image was used as the basis for the United State five-dollar note and is still in circulation today. The print is not commonly seen in the market today.
ADDITIONAL INFO: Overall sheet size 37 x 27.75 inches.
CONDITION: Overall is very good condition save for some occasional soft foxing.
REFERENCE: Holzer, The Lincoln Image" pp209-211, fig 101.
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