RARE AND IMPORTANT SIGNED SKETCH OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN BY HANS BALLING Watercolor on paper

Description:

RARE AND IMPORTANT SIGNED SKETCH OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN BY HANS BALLING Watercolor on paper, signed A. Lincoln and inscribed "Sketched Sept. 23 1864" and signed H. Balling lower right, affixed to larger board, approximately 11 x 9 in. Note: A letter from the artist, Hans Balling, is affixed to the reverse, the text, in full: "A. Lincoln Portrait & Autograph November 1, 1871. To the Art Association "Palette." In accordance with your circular of Oct. 26th, please accept this sketch of A. Lincoln for the N.Y. Artists' Chicago Relief Fund. What I never would have sold, I gladly give away on this occasion in hope that the historic signature so dear to us all, will add more to the relief of suffering artists than my work could do. Very respectfully H. Balling." Balling is best noted for his portraiture, according to the Dictionary of Artists in America, his best known work "Heroes of the Republic" depicts General Ulysses S. Grant and twenty-six of his generals, is currently owned by the Smithsonian Institution at Washington.
Estimate $15,000-20,000

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