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1865 Proclamation of Emancipation Calligraphic Lithograph by W.H. Pratt, Davenport, Iowa

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,800.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 2,400.00 USD
1865 Proclamation of Emancipation Calligraphic Lithograph by W.H. Pratt, Davenport, Iowa
Black History
1865 Historic “Proclamation of Emancipation” Abraham Lincoln Vignette Calligraphic Lithograph Print in Frame
1865-Dated, “Proclamation of Emancipation,” Calligraphic Lithographic Broadside Print with vignette of Abraham Lincoln, by W.H. Pratt, Davenport, Iowa, Framed, Very Fine.
This uniquely designed oval 13.5” x 10.5” Lithographic Broadside Print (by sight) is housed within a 16” x 13” apparently housed in its original partially gilt wooden frame. Original large calligraphic portrait lithograph of Abraham Lincoln created from the text of the Emancipation

Proclamation, with portions of the text highlighted to create a portrait of Lincoln clearly visible within the text, designed by W.H. Pratt. The title of this printed boldly and reads: “Proclamation of Emancipation” and its historic text is written out in calligraphic script form below. Some wording near center being deliberately darkened and/or lightened so as to form a classic Portrait of a bearded President Abraham Lincoln at center. This original print remains bold black upon lightly toned heavy period wove print paper with some scattered light tone and its frame shows expected minor nicks and wear. This is the original print created by W. H. Pratt of Iowa, this Lithograph was produced by A. Hageboeck of Davenport, Iowa. A historically significant item that is truly an “essential” for any Abraham Lincoln or Black History and Slavery related collection. The skill to create this image by hand was immense and reflected the highest level of penmanship. We have located a similar original example offered online by a noted dealer, currently priced at $3,800. Ready to be hung on display.
Commentary of this Calligraphic Lithographic Broadside Print reads: “Contemporary with the Spencerian school of penmanship there developed what was known as calligraphic portraits. The likeness of an individual was reproduced by writing in such a fashion that the main features of the subject were made to stand out in bold relief, yet no lines were written which did not appear in the given text.

The Emancipation Proclamation written out in free hand has been most often used as a basis for the Lincoln portrait. Possibly the most artistic of all these calligraphic portraits was one made by W.H. Pratt of Davenport, Iowa”. (See: Lincoln Lore, Lincoln National Life Foundation).