c1865 Currier & Ives ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN Lithograph 18x13.5

"The Assassination of President Lincoln"
Original Currier & Ives Lithograph
Ford's Theatre, Washington, D.C. — April 14, 1865

Exceptionally rare and historically significant original Currier & Ives lithograph depicting the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865. This is one of the most important and sought-after American historical prints of the 19th century.

Historical Significance:
On the evening of April 14, 1865, just days after the Civil War ended, President Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth while attending a performance at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. He died the following morning, becoming the first U.S. president to be assassinated. This tragic event shocked the nation and became one of the most pivotal moments in American history.

Currier & Ives, America's premier lithographic firm, quickly produced this dramatic depiction showing Lincoln in the theatre box at the moment of attack. These prints served as both news documentation and memorial tributes during a time before photography could be widely reproduced in newspapers.

About Currier & Ives:
Currier & Ives (active 1834–1907) was the most famous American printmaking firm of the 19th century, producing over a million prints on thousands of subjects. Their Civil War and Lincoln prints are among their most historically significant and collectible works. Original Currier & Ives prints from 1865 are increasingly scarce, particularly those depicting major historical events.

Technical Details:

• Title: "The Assassination of President Lincoln"
• Publisher: Currier & Ives, New York
• Date: circa 1865 (immediate post-assassination)
• Medium: Lithograph on period paper
• Sheet size: Approx. 18 in. × 13.5 in.
• Image size: Approx. 13.5 in. × 10 in.
• Plate mark: Visible (authenticity marker)
• Subject: Ford's Theatre, April 14, 1865

Condition:
Authentic antique condition consistent with 160-year-old historical ephemera. Honest assessment:

• Age toning and scattered foxing throughout (typical for 1865 prints)
• Edge wear and minor creasing from age and handling
• Perimeter discoloration consistent with prior matting (possible mat burn)
• Corner loss to lower sheet (see photos for exact condition)
• No modern restoration observed (retains original character)
• Visible plate mark confirms authenticity
• Image remains intact, readable, and displayable

Please review all photos carefully as they form part of the condition description.

Rarity & Collectibility:
Original 1865 Currier & Ives Lincoln assassination prints are among the most sought-after pieces of American historical ephemera. Factors contributing to rarity:

• 160 years old — most examples lost, damaged, or destroyed
• Depicts one of the most significant events in American history
• Published by America's most prestigious lithographic firm
• Served as primary visual documentation of the event
• Increasingly scarce on the open market
• Strong institutional and museum demand

Investment & Historical Value:
This print represents a tangible connection to one of America's most tragic and pivotal moments. Original Currier & Ives Lincoln assassination prints have shown strong appreciation over time and are considered blue-chip Americana collectibles. Museums, historical societies, and serious collectors actively seek these rare survivors.

Display & Preservation:
Despite age-appropriate wear, this print displays well and would benefit from professional conservation framing with UV-protective glass and acid-free materials. The historical significance far outweighs cosmetic imperfections—this is a 160-year-old witness to history.

Perfect For:

• Civil War historians and collectors
• Lincoln and presidential memorabilia specialists
• Currier & Ives collectors
• American history museums and institutions
• Investment-grade Americana collections
• Ford's Theatre and assassination scholars

Provenance Note:
Other Civil War-era Currier & Ives prints available separately from the same collection. Combined shipping available.

A museum-quality piece of American history—one of the most significant and collectible Currier & Ives prints ever produced.