"I Want to Be Like Lincoln," by Frances Tipton Hunter

"I Want to Be Like Lincoln," by Frances Tipton Hunter

c. 1935

photomechanical offset lithography

Frances Tipton Hunter created this inspiring mid-1930s color print, titled "I Want to Be Like Lincoln," as an antique book plate illustration capturing a quiet moment of boyhood aspiration. The scene features a young boy sitting on an overturned basket with his chin resting thoughtfully in his hand, looking upward with wide, daydreaming eyes. He is joined by his loyal brown-and-white dog sitting close by his side, while the boy cradles an orange hardcover book titled Lives of Our Presidents in his arm. Pinned to the warm beige wall behind them are tattered portraits of Abraham Lincoln, subtly reinforcing the narrative theme of ambition and legacy. Hunter's artistic signature is distinctly positioned in the bottom-left corner of the image, anchoring a sentimental composition marked by its soft color gradients, realistic textures, and narrative focus on American ideals.

The piece is situated within the golden era of mid-century American storybook and magazine illustration, a period heavily defined by idealized, heartwarming vignettes of small-town youth. Frances Tipton Hunter (1896–1957) was a premier commercial artist of this epoch, widely celebrated for her frequent, iconic cover illustrations for The Saturday Evening Post, Collier's, and Ladies' Home Journal. Hunter’s work rivaled the style of Norman Rockwell, capturing the innocent, humorous, and sometimes mischievous realities of American childhood with great emotional resonance. This specific plate stands out as an excellent historical record of domestic play and holiday traditions during the interwar period. Original vintage printings of Hunter's mid-century illustrations remain deeply sought after by collectors of classic Americana, antique children's literature, and 20th-century graphic arts.

Dimensions: H 12 ½”x 9 ¼”W

Condition: In very good condition