Lincoln Lincoln in Cariacture

frontrank2

Captain
Forum Host
Joined
Oct 10, 2012
Location
Mt. Jackson, Va
Because he stood at 6' 4" and weighed 180 pounds, had long gangling limbs, and a somewhat sunken in chest, and add to that his ( I'm not going to use ugly or homely ) dysmorphic face, Abraham Lincoln became a prime target for political cartoons following his nomination for president in 1860. Albert Shaw, editor-in-chief of the American edition of the magazine Review of Reviews, reproduced in the Review a selection of cartoons that had appeared in the press between 1860 and 1864. A few years later, he published them in book form as Abraham Lincoln in Contemporary Caricature.

I'm going to post a few of these cartoons, and if you know of any that appeal to you, please feel free to share them here. :smile:

When a rumored plot to assassinate him on his way to Washington meant that the president-elect had to be taken through Baltimore in disguise, Harper’s Weekly published a series of four cartoons titled “The Flight of Abraham.” The third in the series showed a ridiculous, clearly not an “entirely unrecognizable” Lincoln in his purported disguise.

lincolntrain.jpg
 
The 1863 draft spawned days of rioting in New York City and this cartoon in Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper. Lincoln, dressed as a nursemaid, tries unsuccessfully to deal with “naughty boy Gotham” who has thrown his dish labeled “Draft” and is having a kicking-and-screaming tantrum. In the background, a tearful Philadelphia has acquiesced to nurse Lincoln’s demands.

gotham.jpg
 
During the 1864 campaign, McClellan was reportedly as deliberate and cautious in his activity as he had been when he led the Army of the Potomac. Lincoln is said to have quipped about his opponent, “Perhaps he is intrenching.” This Harper’s Weekly cartoon illustrated Lincoln’s “little joke” by showing a miniature McClellan with his tiny shovel in the palm of Lincoln’s hand.

mclellan.jpg
 
Frontrank2,

There is another source for Lincoln cartoons you might find interesting.

From Rail-Splitter to Icon: Lincoln's Image in Illustrated Periodicals, 1860-1865, by Gary L. Baker.

There is one cartoon from this book I especially like, entitled Santa Claus Visits Uncle Sam!, which shows Lincoln dressed as Santa, leaving such presents labeled as, Vicksburg, Gettysburg, Port Hudson, Morris Island, and Chattanoga, in Uncle Sam's stocking. :smile:

Sincerely,
Unionblue
 
After Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation in September 1862, Harper’s Weekly published this cartoon. Here Lincoln is no longer ridiculous. Instead he is the strong frontiersman wielding his ax to fell the tree of slavery and defeat the Confederacy. A ragged Jefferson Davis cowers in the tree’s branches.

tree.jpg
 
Lincoln attempts to distract Liberty from demanding that her sons not be sent into battle. Because the number of volunteers were dwindling, Congress instituted a draft for the first time in 1863. They were calling for 500,000 men to fight for the Union. The order, signed by the President, lies on the floor at his feet.

lincolns_gal_cartoons_04.jpg
 
The political cartoonists probably couldn't believe their eyes or their luck when Lincoln arrived in DC- talk about fodder! One would hope the poor guy didn't read Harper's. Every, other page is Lincoln with a pen stuck through him although no one else got off very well, either.

May be missing something but these old political cartoons are tons better than todays, comprehensively. Lincoln looks like Lincoln, for one thing! You don't always get that in modern papers, although it'd be tough finding one with Lincoln in it for comparison. :giggle:
 
Lincoln is portrayed as meek and ineffectual is his prosecution of the war. In a wooded scene Lincoln, here in the character of an Irish sportsman in knee-breeches, discharges his blunderbuss at a small bird, "C.S.A." (Confederate States of America). The bird, perched in a tree at left, is unhurt, but Lincoln falls backward vowing, "begorra, if ye wor at this end o’ th’ gun, ye wouldn’t flap yer wings that way, ye vill’in!" At right Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, who has the body of a dog, barks, "Bow-wow."

Lincoln’s rifle is labeled "To Whom It May Concern." These were the opening words of a public letter written by Lincoln in July 1864 which included the stipulation that the Confederate states abolish slavery before the administration would accept terms for peace. Journalist Horace Greeley had discovered that two emissaries of president of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis were in Canada, and urged Lincoln to make an offer of peace. Lincoln sent Greeley to Canada, where he found that the diplomats had neither credential nor authority. Lincoln afterward announced that "Any proposition which embraces the restoration of peace, the integrity of the whole Union, and the abandonment of slavery … will be received and considered by the Executive government of the United States."
( http://assemblyman-eph.blogspot.com/2009/04/abraham-lincoln-political-cartoons.html )

Sportsman12w.jpg
 
After Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation in September 1862, Harper’s Weekly published this cartoon. Here Lincoln is no longer ridiculous. Instead he is the strong frontiersman wielding his ax to fell the tree of slavery and defeat the Confederacy. A ragged Jefferson Davis cowers in the tree’s branches.

View attachment 109453
I read he was pretty impressive with an ax. He must have been strong.

(I didn't find an image of Lincoln I really liked, but while searching I ran into this cartoon of Grant and Lee. Yikes.)
 
Abraham’s dream!–“Coming events cast their shadows before” By Currier & Ives, 1864.
The artist portrays a President tormented by nightmares of defeat in the election of 1864. The print probably appeared late in the campaign. Lincoln was said to have believed in the prophetic importance of dreams. The President lies on a bed under a sheet embroidered with stars. In his dream Columbia or Liberty, wielding the severed head of a black man, stands at the door of the White House. She sends a frightened Lincoln away with a kick. Lincoln, wearing a Scotsman’s plaid cap and a cape and carrying a valise, flees to the left, saying, “This don’t remind me of any joke!!” The cap and cloak allude to an incident in 1861 before Lincoln’s first inauguration. On being informed that an attempt would be made to assassinate him on his way to Washington, Lincoln took a night train and disguised himself in a large overcoat and Kossuth hat. The press made the most of Lincoln’s timidity, and it was widely reported that Lincoln was seen wearing a Scotch plaid cap and a very long military cloak. At right General McClellan, in uniform, ascends the steps to the White House, carrying a valise with his initials on it.

lincoln.jpg
 
This cartoon from the Comic Monthly depicts Lincoln and McClellan (foreground) in a chariot race. McClellan's horses, labeled "War Democracy," seem to be slowed down by their attachment to McClellan's chariot, labeled "Peace Democracy" and "Chicago Platform."

horse-race-1864.jpg
 
This cartoon appeared in Britain's " Punch " Magazine Oct. 18, 1862. It showed a shrewd Lincoln, but also as a desperate
gambler playing his last card - The Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln rightfully believed that by making the ACW a war against slavery, it would discourage the European Powers from recognizing the Confederacy.

lastcardMED.jpg
 
Title: Great Fight for the Championship
Published: 1860
Description: Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis are shown as boxers stripped to their waists. In the caption, Horace Greeley asks: Why don’t you go in Abe? W hat’s the use o’ waiting for an openin’ any longer?” Lincoln replies to the bald Greeley: Keep Cool and let yer hair grow Horace! I know wot I’m about. I want to tire him out!”

1081.gif
 
Back
Top