RARE 1894 Large Format A.W. Elson & Co Photogravure Carbon Print Abraham Lincoln For Sale

The \"Gallery Edition\" Masterpiece
Offered is a magnificent, oversized carbon print of Abraham Lincoln, published in 1894 by the prestigious A.W. Elson & Co. of Boston. This is not a standard lithograph or modern reproduction; it is a museum-scale Carbon Print (Photogravure) based on the iconic 1860 \"Cooper Union\" portrait by Mathew Brady—the image Lincoln himself credited with winning him the presidency.Why This Piece is Distinguished:
• The Carbon Process: Unlike silver-based photography or standard ink-and-paper lithography, the Elson carbon process utilized actual pigments to create a permanent, non-fading image with incredible 3D-like depth. The blacks are deep and velvety, and the mid-tones capture every line of Lincoln’s famously expressive face.• Large-Format Scale: This is the sought-after \"Gallery Edition,\" produced for elite institutions and private estates. Its massive wall presence sets it apart from the smaller, more common schoolroom versions often found today.• Authenticity: The original 1894 copyright and publisher’s line are clearly visible at the bottom of the image, ensuring its provenance and date of production.• Honest Patina: The piece shows an elegant, authentic age-toning that confirms its 130-year history. The \"warmth\" of the paper adds a soulful, antique character that collectors of high-end Americana prize over bleached or restored examples.Condition & Logistics:
• Condition: Excellent antique condition for its age. Retains sharp details and strong contrast. Framed in a period-appropriate housing that complements its historical gravity.• Professional Handling: Given the rarity of this large-format Elson print, it will be prepared for transit using professional \"Glass-Masking\" tape patterns and industrial-grade double-boxing to ensure safe arrival.A Note for the Serious Collector:
This 1894 Elson Gallery Edition is a staple of high-end antiquarian galleries, where it is frequently valued in the mid-four-figures. It represents a rare opportunity to acquire a definitive 19th-century likeness of the Great Emancipator in its most prestigious printed format.The Elson Legacy
• The Photograph: This image was captured by Mathew Brady on February 27, 1860, just hours before Lincoln’s historic speech at the Cooper Institute. Lincoln famously credited this specific photograph and that speech for his victory, stating, “Brady and the Cooper Institute made me President.”
• The Publisher: A.W. Elson & Co. of Boston were not mere printers; they were world-renowned masters of the Carbon Process. Unlike standard photographs that fade over time, carbon prints use permanent pigments (similar to oil paints) to achieve a velvety depth and \"mammoth\" scale that was unrivaled in the 19th century.
• The Rarer Beardless Likeness: Most 19th-century portraits show Lincoln with his signature beard. This 1894 Elson edition captures the \"Presidential Candidate\"—the clean-shaven, determined face of the man who was about to change the course of American history.
• A Museum Standard: Large-format Elson carbon prints from this era are held in the permanent collections of major institutions, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
\"This is not the common schoolhouse folio. This is the Imperial Gallery Edition, the largest and most prestigious format produced by Elson in the 1890s, measuring nearly 3 feet tall in its original period frame.\"

---

---