Mel Crawford: Horatio Alger

Artist: Mel Crawford
1925 -
Nationality: Canadian
Artwork Year: 1982
Image Size: 12.25 by 14.25 inches
Overall Size: 14.875 by 17.25 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Cold Press Illustration Board

Horatio Alger was born to a family that had little in the way of material wealth. Nevertheless, Horatio's ability as a scholar was recognized early and encouraged by his parents. Because of his personal desire to succeed and his parents' encouragement, Alger graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard University at age twenty despite his humble origins. Soon he returned to Harvard and graduated from its Divinity School in 1860. Four years later, he accepted a position as minister of a church. In 1866, Alger resigned his church and moved to New York City where he became friends with poor, homeless waifs who lived in the Newsboys' Lodging House. Alger's deep concern with the plight of these underprivileged youngsters compelled him to take up his pen and write the famous Horatio Alger stories. His stories captivated millions of readers throughout the country as they told the tales of "Ragged Dick," "Tattered Tom," and others. The plot of nearly every one of Alger's "strive and succeed" stories was basically the same, and adults highly approved of the stories which communicated the message that, if one were honest and industrious, no matter the circumstances of one's birth, opportunity would present itself and success would be assured. Horatio Alger was not a literary giant in the usual sense of the term; however, his influence on a generation of readers is legendary. In fact, his name is widely used to describe a self-made individual who has achieved dramatic economic and social success.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover of the U.S. 20¢ Horatio Alger stamp issued April 30, 1982.

Artwork Copyright © 1982 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB06263

US$ Price: $1,500.00

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