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THB1862 Abraham Lincoln Satirical Political Cartoon, District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act
Lot 149
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Early American History Auctions
1520 Commerce St., #312
Winchester, VA 22601
United States
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About Auction
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By Early American History Auctions
Dec 20, 2025
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2025-12-20 12:00:00
2025-12-20 12:00:00
America/New_York
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Bidsquare : Early American History Auctions - December 20, 2025
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/early-american-history-auctions/early-american-history-auctions---december-20-2025-21473
199 Lots of Rare, Historic Autographs, Americana, Civil War Era, George Washington, Revolutionary War Era, Colonial America, Federal Period, War of 1812, Historic Maps & more. Early American History Auctions auctions@earlyamerican.com
199 Lots of Rare, Historic Autographs, Americana, Civil War Era, George Washington, Revolutionary War Era, Colonial America, Federal Period, War of 1812, Historic Maps & more. Early American History Auctions auctions@earlyamerican.com
View Full Catalog (199)
- Lot Description
Black History
Abraham Lincoln April 1862 Satirical Political Cartoon Per the "District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act"
April 1862-Dated Civil War Period, Political Cartoon with artist use of Shakespeare's characters; President Abraham Lincoln titled, "Oberon and Titania", Satirical Black History and Slavery Related, Published by Punch, Britian, Choice Crisp Near Mint.
Abraham Lincoln related, April 1862 Satirical Political Cartoon on the contentious "District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act." A heavy period cardstock print from the British publication "Punch" measuring a large 10.5" x 13.25" that appears excellent for framing and display. The artist uses Shakespeare's characters, President Abraham Lincoln as "Oberon" and Lady Liberty/Columbia as "Titania." Here, President Abraham Lincoln states, "I do but beg a little N.....R (*the "N" word is spelled out in all Caps) boy, to be my henchman". Columbia responds, "Set your heart at rest, the NORTHERN land buys not the child of me."
In November 1861, President Lincoln drafted an Act to be introduced before the legislature of Delaware, one of the four Non-Free States that remained loyal (the others being Kentucky, Maryland, and Missouri), for "Compensated Emancipation." Only in the District of Columbia, which fell under direct Federal auspices, was Compensated Emancipation enacted and provided.
On April 16, 1862, President Lincoln signed the "District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act." This law prohibited Slavery in the District, forcing its 900-odd Slaveholders to free their Slaves, with the federal government paying owners an average of about $300 for each Slave freed. Passage of this law came eight and a half months prior to President Lincoln's issued Emancipation Proclamation. An important Black History item.
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The District of Columbia Emancipation Act:
On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill ending Slavery in the District of Columbia. Passage of this law came 8 1/2 months before President Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation.
The act brought to a conclusion decades of agitation aimed at ending what antislavery advocates called "the national shame" of Slavery in the nation's capital. It provided for immediate emancipation, compensation to former owners who were loyal to the Union of up to $300 for each freed Slave, voluntary colonization of former Slaves to locations outside the United States, and payments of up to $100 for each person choosing emigration. Over the next 9 months, the Board of Commissioners appointed to administer the act approved 930 petitions, completely or in part, from former owners for the freedom of 2,989 former slaves.
Although its combination of emancipation, compensation to owners, and colonization did not serve as a model for the future, the District of Columbia Emancipation Act was an early signal of slavery's death. In the District itself, African Americans greeted emancipation with great jubilation. For many years afterward, they celebrated Emancipation Day on April 16 with parades and festivals.
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