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“A highly spirited Western edition embellished with four large slave scenes lithographed at the left and four freedom scenes at the right.” –Eberstadt.

Rare contemporary printing of the Emancipation Proclamation, published in Madison Wisconsin.

The artwork features a stark contrast between scenes of slavery and freedom. On the left, under the watch of a demon, are five vignettes portraying the brutality of slavery: fugitives pursued by dogs, families torn apart on the auction block, and the violence of the whipping post. On the right, in direct opposition, are hopeful depictions of freedom, illustrating Black Americans celebrating, receiving payment for their labor, attending school, and nurturing strong family bonds. At the bottom center, a powerful image of a freedman with outstretched arms in prayer is depicted, gazing upward toward a portrait of Lincoln, embodying gratitude and reverence.

This Madison edition of the Emancipation Proclamation stands out for its rich visual narrative and artistic rendering, designed to underscore the moral and social stakes of Lincoln’s historic declaration.

Issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation declared that “all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious Confederate states “are, and henceforward shall be free.” While it did not abolish slavery in the Union or border states, this pivotal declaration fundamentally shifted the focus of the Civil War, reframing it as a struggle against slavery. It inspired hope among millions of enslaved people, influenced public sentiment in the Union, and discouraged France and Britain from recognizing the Confederacy by aligning the Union cause with the abolition of slavery.

To amplify its impact, the Emancipation Proclamation was circulated in various printed formats, including this elaborate edition engraved in 1864 by Louis Lipman of Milwaukee and published in Madison, Wisconsin, by Martin & Judson. The text is prominently displayed in the center, surrounded by symbolic imagery emphasizing the themes of justice and liberty. Above the text are three allegorical figures: Justice, Columbia, and the bald eagle, emblematic of American ideals.

Rarity

This edition is rare on the market. 

RBH notes 2 example offered for sale in the past 25 years.