[US PRESIDENTS, US HISTORY, AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY]

                                              

"THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION FACSIMILE" 

On offer here is an ORIGINAL 1863 EDWARD MENDEL FACSIMILE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S 'EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION'. 

The lithographic broadside measures appx (sheet in frame) 24.0 in x 30.5 in and is housed in a nice (likely period) frame measuring 27 in x 33.5 in. with glass glazing.  The faults as we observe -  Upper left direct corner; upper right margin; middle left margin w/ a moderate toned stain. Additionally a closed 2 in tear near the 'soldiers home' motto statement.  There are some minor foxing spots as well. The 'authenticity' embossed emancipation seal is at lower left. All in all, a respectable example considering the rarity and importance. Please forgive the reflection in the glazing. We attempted to take images in two different lighting situations but still got some background reflections. Let us know if there are questions about any artifacting in the images. 

One of perhaps 10 known (4 -5 in this 'vertical' orientation) of the total printing. This is the earliest (and fortunate) of the facsimiles and printings of  Lincoln's declaration of Emancipation of the enslaved African-Americans held in the Confederate States. 

As most advanced collectors of this level of material are aware, the original manuscript was purchased by Thomas Bryan who was then the President of the 'Soldiers Home' in Chicago, IL.  Edward Mendel then made lithographs of the original text (in Lincoln's hand) producing this example of the eminently historical document. These lithographs were then sold to raise fund for the U.S. Sanitary Commission for the assistance of Civil War wounded. 

However, in 1871 the original Lincoln manuscript was lost in the Great Chicago Fire and this lithograph facsimile is the closest remaining version of the Proclamation. Mendel created 3 versions of this lithograph which originally sold for $2 to subscribers. One vertical (here) one horizontal (more common at auction) and some with affixed lithographic portraits (as here). 

This lithograph is rare in all forms likely due to the very fire which destroyed the original manuscript. As one would imagine, many of the lithographs sold (of course in the north...) were sold in the Chicago area which was devastated by the fire. We can trace about 10 examples total; most of which seem to be held in institutions. We trace about 5 examples appearing at auction since 1995 one of which we believe is the same copy. 

The last two examples of this to have appear at auction recently: 

Freeman's Auction - 5/21/2025 (lot 77 - horizontal version) $6400

Leland Little  -  9/18/2021 (lot 230 - vertical version) $6000 

An obvious and important collecting opportunity.

Please email any questions -