Late 19th Century Original Framed Lithograph From Berdan Publishing Company. (c) buy 1908

A beautiful late 19th century original framed lithograph from Berdan Publishing Company (Copyright 1908), depicting a rather sorrowful looking Edwardian woman, seated with arm rested on a closed book. At the bottom of the print is an excerpt from a poem written by poet Robert Cameron Rogers (1862-1912). It is said that this poem marked the end of an early romance in Rogers' life. The story goes that Rogers fell in love with a beautiful young lady, a member of an aristocratic family of old New York. When the two were engaged and the news was broken to the parents of both - the parents were not happy about it at all and made great efforts to put an end to it. Reason being that the families of Mr. Rogers and his fiancee were of different religious beliefs, and both families being so strict and rooted in their religious views insisted the engagement be broken off. It is stated that Mr. Rogers nor his fiancee ever recovered from the uprooting of their love. The young lady, never married and a short time after the separation turned to religion for solace. Rogers' inspiration for this beautiful poem was centered in his fiancee and his shattered romance. The sacrifice of their love cast a lasting shadow over both their lives. Below is the poem in its entirety.

'The Rosary' by Robert Cameron Rogers

The hours I spent with thee, dear heart,
Are as a string of pearls to me;
I count them over, every one apart,
My rosary.

Each hour a pearl, each pearl a prayer,
To still a heart in absence wrung;
I tell each bead unto the end -- and there
A cross is hung.

Oh, memories that bless -- and burn!
Oh, barren gain -- and bitter loss!
I kiss each bead, and strive at last to learn
To kiss the cross,
Sweetheart,
To kiss the cross.

This original lithograph is framed in a very old frame that is quite worn. At some point I would assume that there was wood inlay covering the frame - however it is I almost completed all worn off with only two small areas where it is still in place. The backer board is a piece of wood that is held in place by tiny old nails. The glass is old but intact and I believe it to be original to buy the frame.

Measurement:

Framed 17" x 14"

Note:

The items I sell are not new, they are vintage or antiques, it goes without saying that there maybe some imperfections which I try my best to point out and take pictures of. Please see all pictures attached and feel free to message me any enquiries.