Gratz Collection
Gratz: A Tale of Contrasts and Transformations Amidst the backdrop of the 1882 Chromolithograph depicting The Anti-Chinese Wall
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Gratz: A Tale of Contrasts and Transformations Amidst the backdrop of the 1882 Chromolithograph depicting The Anti-Chinese Wall, where the American wall was rising as the Chinese original was coming down, Gratz, a small Austrian town, was undergoing its own transformations. In the same era, Gratz became the backdrop for a significant moment in American history, as Horace Greeley and Benjamin Gratz Brown, both with connections to Gratz, campaigned for the Presidency in 1872. Their Liberal Republican ticket challenged the status quo, with Greeley, the editor of the New York Tribune, advocating for civil liberties and Brown, a Jewish American, breaking barriers as a Vice Presidential nominee. The town's rich history is further illustrated in engravings of the Funeral of Prince Alexander of Bulgaria, where the procession passed through the City Park in Gratz. This poignant moment in European history was captured in intricate detail, showcasing the town's significance on the global stage. Fast forward to the 20th century, and Gratz became the setting for a science fiction cover, The Man from Beyond, published in Wonder Stories magazine. This fantastical image, a stark contrast to the historical records, further highlights Gratz's diverse and intriguing past. One of Gratz's most notable residents was Rebecca Gratz, a Jewish American educator and philanthropist. Her photograph stands as a testament to the town's commitment to education and social progress. Through the lens of these various historical records, Gratz emerges as a town steeped in history, marked by transformations, and shaped by the lives of its remarkable residents.