It might have been the height of fashion in the 1800s for a man to have such a prominent beard but a beard like this would certainly draw attention in the 21st century. This gentleman, in case anyone recognizes him, was Peter Cooper, founder of the Cooper Institute, the first manufacturer of locomotives in America and a well-known millionaire and philanthropist.
I doubt anyone would visit Reusable Art specifically looking for a drawing of this gentleman but I thought his strong chiseled face, wire-rimmed spectacles and prominent beard made him an interesting drawing. Hope someone out there agrees that a vintage drawing of a man with beard, particularly one as full as this one, is quite useful.
There are over 200 wonderful, vintage illustrations on Reusable Art that were included in Hill’s Album of Biography and Art. We have the author, Thomas E. Hill, for publishing such a wonderful resource in 1882.
This image is copyright free and in the public domain anywhere that extends copyrights 70 years after death or at least 120 years after publication when the original illustrator is unknown.
