Accession Number: 2003.5
Description: Portrait shows Prescott, a noted historian who was visually impaired, seated in a high-back upholstered chair. He is holding papers in his right hand. A noctograph may be shown on the desk to his right. In the background is a wall lined with books. "Painted by Alonzo Chappel" is printed in the margin, beneath the print. In the bottom margin, at center, is a facsimile of Prescott's signature. Printed beneath this is: "Likeness from a Photograph in the possession of his family. Johnson Fry & Co. Publishers, New York. Entered according to act of Congress A.D. 1861 by Johnson, Fry & Co. in the clerks office of the district court for the southern district of New York." Reverse is blank. Prescott used the handwriting guide called a noctograph, which he devised, a writing frame with wire guides in which carbon paper was placed on a metal plate and handwriting produced with a stylus.
Height: 10.75
Width: 8
Date Made: 1861
Place of Origin: New York
Credit Line: Museum Purchase, 2003.50
Subjects: Blind Historians
Dimension Notes: 7.5 x 5.5 in. (comp.)
Made: Johnson Fry & Co., pub.
Material: Paper
Updated: 06/04/2021