"View of City Hall" Print - Obsequies of Abraham Lincoln, in the City of New York.
In New York City, mourning and grieving for President Lincoln began immediately. On the day of his death, April 15, 1865, black mourning crepe was placed in windows throughout the city. This print was originally page 26 of the Obsequies of Abraham Lincoln, in the City of New York, published by the Common Council of the City of New York in 1866. It presents a faithful image of the manner in which the City Hall of New York was decorated for mourning in respect for the memory of Abraham Lincoln. It was one of the most memorable of the many decorated buildings adorned in tribute to the assassinated president.

City Hall was decorated from the cupola to the basement with black muslin mourning drapery, wrappings, cravats, and pendants. Writing above the entrance captured the mood of the country where large white letters backed with black announced, "The Nation Mourns." In front, drawn in formation are the honor guard and the empty catafalque.

The four enormous flags on the building are, from left to right, a United States flag; a New York City flag; a New York State flag and another United States flag. All displayed at half-staff, and all are bordered in mourning crepe, a common 19th century funerary practice. (See ZFC0125 and ZFC0617 for examples of flags with mourning crepe attached).
The Obsequies of Abraham Lincoln, in the City of New York, the volume from which this print derives, was a printed record of the city's Lincoln funeral services and eulogies published in bound volumes for distribution by the Common Council of New York to libraries, schools and other institutions. The volume's release was opposed and vetoed by the Democratic Mayor of New York City, C. Godfry Gunther, who was, in turn, overridden by the New York Board of Aldermen and Councilmen.

Provenance: Acquired at auction 1996.

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