Engraving of James Buchanan. Tinted engraving. James Buchanan stands 3/4 front to his left at center of picture dressed in a black suit with white tie. James Buchanan has left hand resting on upright brown book on table to his left. Table has round top with green baize cloth.
J. C. Buttre, 48 Franklin St., New York, New York.
James Buchanan, Fifteenth President of the United States
Description
Framed Currier print of James Buchanan. Buchanan sits at center, face diagonally to the left. He wears a white button-up shirt with high collar and white bow tie under chin. Black vest with four buttons all buttoned. Black jacket with lapels, two buttons
Black and white engraving of James Buchanan. Subject is standing between a chair and a table, holding a book that is resting on the table. Signature below, with smaller print: "Engraved by permission from the original in the possession of J.C. Buttre, Esq." and additional print below it.
Printed on page torn from book "Johnson Fry and Co. Publishers, New York." Mixture of etching and engraving.
Same as preceeding print. Black and white engraving of James Buchanan. Subject is standing between a chair and a table, holding a book that is resting on the table. Signature below, with smaller print: "Engraved by permission from the original in the possession of J.C. Buttre, Esq." and additional print below it. Mixture of etching and engraving. Johnson Fry & Co., Publishers.
Dimensions are image only. Page is 10.25" x 7.125"
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2016-06-28
Condition Notes
Darkened around edges from acid burn. Dark spots at top from tape bleed-through. Reverse has linen tape hinges remaining on top of previous taped area.
Object ID
2013.008.03
Place of Origin
New York, New York
Credit
Gift of the Family of Eleanor N. Henry (John D. McNeill Jr., Mary Catherine Henry West, James Buchanan Henry IV, and Elizabeth Henry Richardson)
Portrait of James Buchanan, painted by William McMaster. The artist painted this as a copy of his July 1856 Buchanan portrait after the General Election in November 1856. This portrait was commissioned by the Empire Club, which was a powerful political organization in New York during the mid-19th century. Captain Isaiah Rynders was the founder of the Club; his "sluggers" committed voter intimidation and election fraud on behalf of Tammany Hall throughout the 1840s and 1850s. The Empire Club purportedly paid McMaster $1,000 (equal to $28,571 today) to paint a copy of McMaster's July 1856 Buchanan portrait. This copy was hung in the Capitol Rotunda when Buchanan took office; however, at some point during his term, as his popularity began to sink, it was removed. Mounted in a Rococo Revival gilt wood and gesso frame with ornamental projecting corners featuring ornate scrolling foliage patterns with centre repose engraved with sculptural shells & acanthus leaves and fleur-de-lis patterns.