Rare variant of this well known lithograph, originally by Currier & Ives.
This print, titled The Spirit of the Union, portrays George Washington in a solemn and symbolic setting. The central image features Washington, dressed in his military regalia, standing against a backdrop of billowing clouds. His figure is elevated above the landscape, representing him as a transcendent figure, embodying the unity and spirit of the United States. Above him, the U.S. Capitol building looms in the distance, its dome faintly visible, signifying the seat of the nation's government and a symbol of national unity. To the lower right, Mount Vernon, Washington’s home, is depicted, grounding the image in Washington’s personal legacy. To the lower left, the gates in front of Washington's tomb are visible, connecting the scene with the theme of remembrance and the call to preserve the Union.
The print, originally by Currier & Ives, includes a curious imprint reading “Supplied at 37 Park Row, N.Y.,” suggesting that this version may have been distributed by another entity or retailer without the identifiable mark of its original makers. This was not unusual in the 19th century, as prints were often reproduced by different companies or merchants to meet popular demand.
The inscription beneath the image consists of a poem written in two stanzas, urging Americans to remember the sacrifices made by their forefathers to create and sustain the Union. The first stanza emphasizes Washington’s presence as a guiding figure, casting light on the national gloom:
"Lo! on high the glorious form,
Of Washington lights all the gloom;
And words of warning seem to come,
From out the portal of his tomb."
The second stanza calls on Americans to honor their forefathers' sacrifices by maintaining the Union at all costs, indicating the broader context of the Civil War:
"Americans your fathers shed,
Their blood to rear the Union's fane,
Then let your blood as free be given,
The bond of Union to maintain."
This print, produced at the dawn of the Civil War, was likely created as a means to promote unity between the North and the South, urging citizens to resist the movement towards secession. Washington is portrayed as a figure of national unity, whose legacy must be honored and whose call for peace must be heeded. His placement in the clouds, alongside key symbols of the nation (the Capitol, Mount Vernon, and his tomb), underscores the importance of preserving the Union amidst the rising threat of conflict.
This evocative image served as both a patriotic reminder of the nation's origins and a plea for Americans to protect the Union that Washington and the founding fathers had fought to establish.