This collection of mid-19th century songsheets from The Lincoln Collection in Fort Wayne, IN., exists to preserve the history and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. In addition, these songsheets help to preserve a historic record of hand lettering, ornamentation, and lithography of this same era as well. As a tribute to Lincoln's birthday today, we can celebrate him and the many songsheet title pages which were published in his time leading up to the Civil War and following his assassination. They are a window into one of the most pivotal times in US history, as well as one of the most engaging and visionary periods of printing and design. With a few exceptions, most of these songsheet title pages were published between 1860 and 1865.
These certainly show the arc of Lincoln's life, and the country's Civil War history. The most interesting thing to me are the nicknames given to Lincoln here -- "Father Abraham" and "Our Martyr President."
ReplyDeleteGreat insights Claudia. This is just a small number of songsheets written and designed in tribute to Lincoln. It is an impressive record of his fame and appeal.
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