ABRAHAM LINCOLN Original PROOF ENGRAVING By the AMERICAN BANK NOTE Co. Engraver CHARLES SCHLECHT (1843-1932), Very Fine.
An original Civil War Era, deep white Card Sunk Engraved Proof Print of PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Size 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". A deep impression, unsigned, yet certainly done by famed engraver CHARLES SCHLECHT (1843-1932). Some surface paper disturbance at bottom left where some paper is lifted from the supporting card. He was born in Germany but came to New York at an early age where he apprenticed at the American Bank Note Company. He often did free-lance work but his primary career was at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. It is not known exactly when this engraving was made, and for what purpose, but it was found with other Proof Lincoln engravings in his estate. A possibly unique trial proof engraving of the President. |