Framed print of Thaddeus Stevens. Published by J.E. Barr, Lancaster, PA. Engraved by John Sartain, Phila. After a photograph from life by C. W. Eberman. Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1867 by J.E. Barr in the clerk's office of the U.S. for the Eastern
Engraving of Thaddeus Stevens, Artist Proof by John Sartain
Description
Print of Thaddeus Stevens; artist proof signed by John Sartain and Thaddeus Stevens; matted, some loss. Fair condition.
Additional information related to the print can be found in LancasterHistory library book 923.2 S846po. This book indicates that the print was taken from an 1862 photograph. The book also includes information advertising the print as well as testimonials from local newspapers and Stevens himself confirming the likeness. The letter (or a copy of it) from Stevens that is transcribed at the beginning of the book is folded into the back pages. A subscribers' list at the back of the booklet shows the 1867 price for the print: an artist's copy is $15. The booklet identifies the print as a steel engraving.
Provenance
John Sartain was an important nineteenth-century printmaker, who moved from England to the United States and is credited with pioneering mezzotint engraving in the United States.
Printed portrait of Thaddeus Stevens with full head of curly hair and stern gaze. Mounted in old molded oak frame with handcut paper window mat.
Under bust is "THADDEUS STEVENS: "OLD COMMONER./ APRIL 4, 1792 - AUGUST 11, 1808/ Chairman Committee of Ways and Means of U.S. House of Representatives during the Civil War./ FEARLESS CHAMPION OF FREEDOM FOR THE OPPRESSED./ His unique service to the Common schools of Pennsylvania lay in retaining upon the Statue Book the Law of 1834 against the will and purpose of the majority of a Legislature elected and pledged to its repeal. In old age he spoke of this stern contest/ with much interest, and seemed to regard the memorable speech of April 11, 1835, in its results to the cause of General Education in the Commonwealth the best work of his life."
At the bottom left is "Engraved by Rea.", at center is "Lincoln Art Series: Copyright 1899, by J.P. McCaskey, Publisher, Lancaster, Pa." and at right is "Photograph by Eberman." Lower section of image has engraver's name "REA Sc."
McCaskey was a lifelong educator, principal & longtime writer of The Pennsylvania School Journal. Bio Annals notes he was a proponent of memory work in literature and he produced and displayed good portraits of notables in education (Thaddeus Stevens, Thomas Burrowes, etc.) appropriate mottoes, vocal and instrumental music, etc. In his later years, McCaskey published at lease 20 engraved images, called the "Lincoln Art Series," for display in homes and schools. He distributed many thousand copies to all parts of the country. Sometime during is long career as educator he was awarded and honorary M.A. degree and later a PhD. degree, both from Franklin and Marshall College (Bio Annals) (Written by Wendell Zercher)
Minor stains with liquid stains at very bottom (sitting in damp area), incipient breaks and creases run horizontally in several areas. Silverfish damage scattered mostly at bottom and around top & sides of image. one spot of damage under tie.
Frame is dark on face with some wear. Framing materials acidic and unprofessional.
Portrait of Thaddeus Stevens in gold-painted oval frame, an 1867 mezzotint of an 1862 photograph. Stevens' left shoulder is right front and he faces left. He wears a suit jacket, vest, white shirt with buttons and thin knotted necktie around the stand-up collar.
Typed on paper on back of piece: "Thaddeus Stevens./ The great commoner and promoter of the public school system/ practised (sic) law in Lancaster, Pennsylvania/ Uncle William T. Fulton, Esq., of Oxford, Chester Co. Pennsylvania,/ studied law under Thaddeus Stevens./ My father, Hugh R. Fulton, Esq., was a great admirer of Stevens/ and delivered lectures on his philosophy./ This picture, in its oval frame, hung in father's office,/ above his desk, throughout his fifty eight years practising (sic) law/ in Lancaster, Pennsylvania."
Below, written cursively in ink: "This should go to the/ Lancaster County/ Historical Society-/ E. J. Fulton"
Oval frame is 15.5' wide x 18.25' long with depth (about 1.5 inches)
On back are two eyebolts with wire loops attached for hanging.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-09-22
Condition Notes
Image is under glass. Small nick in gold paint on frame revealing plaster on lower outside of frame, center right. A chip off shiny gold paint on upper right.
Tiny cracks on both sides, inside of frame touching glass, middle of portrait.
Charcoal portrait on poster board ('Nat Mat Cardboards').. Drawn from neck up, "Thaddeus Stevens" is looking to the viewer's right. Artist J.A. Jolly has printed his name beneath Stevens' left shoulder. Cut-out printed black uppercase letters are attached beneath the drawing: "THADDEUS STEVENS." The surface appears to have been sprayed with a matte finish.
On reverse, written on taped-on white piece of paper: "Drawn by/ James Arthur Jolly/ April 1967/ 17 Mary St./ Millersville, Pa./Asst. Prof., M.S.C./ Memb. Lanc. Co. Hist. Soc."
Copy of a portrait of Thaddeus Stevens on stiff paper. The name, "THADDEUS STEVENS," is below the portrait of Stevens' head and shoulders in an oval bordered with a strand of leaves. Stevens face and shirt are white against a darker background. Stevens' signature appears beneath the portrait in the lower right margin.
Directly beneath to portrait in tiny font on the left: "AFTER A PHOTOGRAPH FROM LIFE BY C. W. EBERMAN."
In the center: "Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1867. By J. E. Barr, in the clerk's office of the district court of the U.S. for the eastern district of Pennsylvania./ Published by J.E.Barr, Lancaster, Penna."
Within that the framed portrait and signature measure 16.5" wide x 21.25 high.
Condition
Fair to Good
Condition Date
2023-07-24
Condition Notes
Brown acidification overall. Remnants of pieces of masking tape, 4 pieces on the back edges. On front, 2 remain, hard glue from one remains and the fourth was torn off. There is a 3-inch tear on bottom left edge. Brown lines indicate edges of mat when portrait was framed.
On back, brown border all around. The 15" x 20.5" area that is reverse of portrait is lighter in color since it had been taped/glued. The upper portion of the center piece shows many brown dots including some dark heavy blot-like stains, remnants of liquid? One cluster of these has soaked through to the front of the piece. There are indentations on all four sides from nails/tacks.
Set of dark wooden candlesticks. "These candlesticks Mr. William Mellor who was then superintendent of the Thaddeus Stevens Industrial School Lanc. Pa. - Presented to Judge Charles I. Landis March 4, 1921 ["I give both to the Lancaster Historical Society J(?) Landis"] The Mahoganey is from handrail of stairs in home of The Honorable Thaddeus Stevens ["4th"] South Queen St.
A. Copper-colored medal with relief image of Thaddeus Stevens 1792-1868 on one side and "Champion of Free Schools Friend of the Poor and Down-Trodden" on the other.
B. Enclosed in a green velvet box with an American eagle in gold set into lower right hand corner.
C. Cardboard sleeve with gold ink circle on top stamped: "Treasury/ United States Mint."
