Late 19th Century Rare Lithograph of "Light of the World" From the Original Painting by William Holman Hunt

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This rare lithograph, titled “Light at the End of the World”,is in its original frame and is based on a … Read more This rare lithograph, titled “Light at the End of the World”,is in its original frame and is based on a series of paintings by Willian Holman Hunt the artist. It depicts Christ carrying a lantern and knocking on an overgrown door, echoing the inscription from Revelations: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him.” The door symbolizes the human heart, while the lantern represents the light of conscience and truth that reveals sin. Christ wears a combined golden crown of thorns, signifying both his suffering and his status. The original version of this painting was created in the 19th century, completed between the 1850s and early 1900s, and is located in London. The back of the frame bears a stamp reading “Framed Specially for Jordan Marsh and Company, Number 5532,” referencing the famous 19th-century department store.


The original frame stamp on the back and the lithograph are quite unusual and may be part of the original set created after a version of the painting was displayed in New York City. Founded in 1841, Jordan Marsh and Company was Boston’s first department store and eventually became the largest retail organization in New England. After 1861, its flagship store in downtown Boston became known for pioneering retail innovations in the United States, including customer service advancements and the early use of electric lights, telephones, elevators, and other late 1800s technologies. Clover’s Cottage has been unable to locate another lithograph of this famous print in a similar frame. The lithograph in its original Jordan Marsh frame remains in excellent condition, with only a few small chips, and still bears the sought-after original stamp from the department store. See less