Bernhardt Wall

Bernhardt Wall (December 29, 1872 – February 9, 1956) was an American etcher, illustrator, commercial artist, lithographer, craftsman, teacher and historian. He designed more than 5,000 postcards for various companies, earning him the epithet "Postcard King". Wall also established himself as an etcher of famous American political and cultural leaders, particularly Abraham Lincoln.

Wall was born in Buffalo, New York, to German immigrant parents. He showed an aptitude for art starting at an early age and became a student of James Francis Brown, Henry Reuterdahl, and William Auerbach-Levy. He arrived by train in San Antonio that winter and quickly wove himself in the art scene by teaching, co-owning the San Antonio Engraving Company, and organizing the San Antonio Art League, where he also served as president.

Wall returned to New York, where he enlisted in the 202nd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the Spain-American War.

In addition to creating etchings for his books, he also wrote, designed, printed and bound them. He also designed many bookplates.

After Jennie's unexpected death in 1938, Wall married Doris Turner, and the couple moved to Sierra Madre in 1944. His last etchings were made there. While in California, he was active in the Lincoln Fellowship of Southern California, and several issues of its annual publication feature a tipped-in etching of Lincoln. After finally settling in Pasadena, Wall died in Sawtelle, Los Angeles, on February 9, 1956, aged 83.