LINCOLN'S FAMILY: LARGE MEZZOTINT, ARTIST'S SIGNED PROOF COPY

SARTAIN, William, engraver. Mezzotint: [Lincoln and His Family]. Philadelphia: Bradley & Co., 1866. Oversized folio. Image measures 25 by 18 inches, sheet measures 33 by 25 inches, matted and framed, entire piece measures 34 by 28 inches. $7500.

Artist's proof copy of a remarkable mezzotint depicting President Lincoln with his wife and children, "perhaps the best print of all the 'Lincoln and his family' groups," signed in pencil in the lower left corner by acclaimed engraver, painter and art instructor William Sartain.

"Perhaps the best print of all the 'Lincoln and his family' groups, and there must be at least a dozen different studies, is the engraving by William Sartain from the painting by S.B. Waugh" (Lincoln Lore: Bulletin of the Lincoln National Life Foundation). A publisher's advertising circular for the print proclaimed that "Soon after the death of Abraham Lincoln, Waugh, our celebrated American Artist, executed a National Painting of Lincoln and his Family. The Artist painted Mrs. Lincoln, Robert and Thaddeus, better known as 'Tad,' from life. The work is considered, by all who have seen it, a great triumph of art. It represents the family in a private parlor in the White House, a short time before the assassination… For a number of months, Mr. Wm. Sartain, with an able corps of assistants, was actively engaged in copying and engraving from this superb Painting. [His engraving] is now completed and… in accuracy of portraiture and artistic excellence of execution is acknowledged to be unsurpassed by any Engraving ever executed in America." Printed by Irwin & Sartain, without title. Mounted on wove paper.

Print in beautiful, fresh condition; paper backing with minor dust-soiling to edges and a few short edge tears. A very attractive signed example of this striking image. Beautifully framed.