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Life-size Bust of Abraham Lincoln Renowned Sculptor :  Joseph Patrick O'Brien (1889-1970)  .

Unlike other renderings, this is not just an artist's likeness.  This is Abraham Lincoln actually cast from a life-mask initially taken by Leonard Volk in 1860. The original mask is now in the possession of the Smithsonian Institution and on rare occasion, is taken on tour throughout the United States.

I n early April of 1860, just before he received his nomination for President of the United States, a clean shaven Abraham Lincoln met with sculptor Leonard Volk for the taking of a plaster impression of his face. The actual process only took about an hour. A cloth was pulled tight to cover the hairline, and a gel-type ointment was thickly applied over the eyebrows and eyelashes to avoid contact with the plaster. As the plaster was applied, air holes were left in th enostrils for breathing. The plaster heated as it set, but not to the point of causing discomfort. After about an hour, the mask was carefully removed leaving a perfect negative impression of his face. It was from this mask that Volk then created a masterful bust of Lincoln using this image as its foundation.

After its initial use of forming the bust,the mask lay idle until early 1880 when a limited number were reproduced to help fund the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. These were reportedly sold to a select few wealthy individuals for $25,000.00 each. Only a handful of these masks have survived throughout the years, and those are in private collections.

One of these original copies of the life-mask was given to world renowned sculptor Gutzon Borglum to aid in the creation of Lincoln's image on Mount Rushmore National Monument. When nearing completion, Borglum presented the mask to his good friend and fellow sculptor Joseph Patrick O'Brien Sr.who worked with him on many of his projects including Mt.Rushmore. In 1961 at age 72, Mr. O'Brien produced his own original bust, much like Volk, modeled from the life mask given to him by Gutzon Borglum. O'Brien's bust, however, was to depict a bearded Lincoln, more representative of the Lincoln the world came to recognize and revere.

Mr. O'Brien's artwork has been exhibited in museums and institutions throughout the United States, including the Smithsonian. His most notable works include Mt. Rushmore, the Boy Scouts of America, and Military Monument at Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Now is your once in a lifetime opportunity to own a hand-created, life-sized bust of Abraham Lincoln originally crafted by this renowned sculptor, Joseph Patrick O'Brien. A never before offered limited edition of 1,500 in plaster and 250 in Genuine Bronze, is currently being created for Seven Seas Trading Company by the sculptor's son, Joseph Patrick O'Brien Jr. Each bust is individually hand-crafted from a mold personally created from his father's original bust. It is beautifully mounted on a fossilized marble and select walnut base. The underside of the base is sequentially numbered along with the date of completion. Each bust also includes a Limited Edition Certificate, numbered and hand-signed by Joseph Patrick O'Brien Jr. We believe this is the best and certainly most realistic rendition of our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. Undoubtedly an exquisite and unique masterpiece to be prominently displayed with pride. 

Remember,the O'Brien Lincoln Bust and Life-Mask are available from Seven Seas Trading Company, Ltd.

Seven Seas Trading Company, Ltd.
60-B Terra Cotta Ave. Ste. 114
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
(815) 459-5060