Representation of the different Ways to Everlasting Life or Eternal Damnation religious broadside, Pennsylvania, c. Vividly depicting paths to heaven and hell, this rare image was printed by G. Peters in Harrisburg, PA for the German immigrant community and presents a stark picture of religion in America. Libertines and lawyers, musical and legal instruments in hand, line up at the gates of hell. A black man ascends to heaven, speaking perhaps for all African slaves when he states Our Fruits are on the Tree of Life (which is to say, those God-given fruits in Heaven and not those enjoyed on Earth). Below, Satan is depicted as a monstrous beast ensconced in flames, with Death and the Whore of Babylon at his side, each shepherding sinners into the flames of eternal suffering. But they are going thither, a chid tugs at the sleeve of his mother, begging to join the happy procession of the damned. And above all, the towers and trumpets of the fantastical holy city of eternal life, New Jerusalem, which admits only a pious few. In addition to the quotations placed throughout the image, a forboding description of the scene is printed in the lower portion. Here is the entrance great and wide, open to all from each side: Pass on ye with sack and pack, for unconcerned, be no exact; walk gently ahead, not a word will be said; If you seek honour and gain, hastily appear and record thy name; thousands with a similar design, have traveled this road in proper line; ye that lust after splendor, luxury and pride, pass one, the path is fully wide; the frolicksome in great numbers with music full of sound, are marching to the place to which they are bound; the rich, poor, the tall and small, in Abrahams lap hope to be taken up, yea withal. A rare early American broadside and a powerful historical document illustrating Christian orthodoxy and millenarian dogma in the early Republic. 15 inches wide 11.5 inches tall. Good antique condition for a piece of this age and fragility. Yellowing and minor paper loss at edges (see photos). For more pleasing and peculiar objects, follow “oldasadam” on Instagram and Facebook. And if you find yourself in New England, be sure to visit my brick and mortar store in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Antiques & Vintage Haberdashery. The item “Antique Early American Path to Heaven Religious Broadside c. 1830s AAFA” is in sale since Monday, April 29, 2019. This item is in the category “Antiques\Primitives”. The seller is “oldasadam” and is located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Norway, Saudi arabia, Ukraine, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Ecuador, Egypt, Iceland, Sri lanka, Macao, Oman, Peru, Viet nam, Uruguay.
- Original/Reproduction: Original
- Date of Creation: 1800-1899
- Category: Antiques
- Featured Refinements: AAFA