American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography, including The Larry Ness Collection of Native American Photography

3 5/8 x 5 1/2 in. printed broadside (faint spotting, minor bumping to corners).

Printed in red and blue, this handheld printing of the Gettysburg Address features the text of the oration in two paragraphs, with decorative border details.

According to a note sent to Lincoln from the publishers, Miller & Mathews, dated 23 March 1864, these small broadsides were created for distribution at the New York Metropolitan Sanitary Fair held in April 1864.

"We have had printed as part of our contribution to the Metropolitan Fair, Your Dedicatory Address at the Gettysburgh [sic] Cemetery. Thinking that the eloquent sentiments expressed in the words of sympathy for our brave dead might be reproduced for the benefit of the wounded and surviving..."

The publishers enclosed some examples in their note for Lincoln's personal keeping, and sold many more as souvenirs at the fair less than two weeks later. (The referenced letter is held at the Library of Congress).