Bound Harper's Weekly, 1861-1862, Civil War -Stunning Historical Relic

Description: Here we offer an enormous (11.5 x 16.25-inch) ledger-sized, compilation of the actual original Harper's Weekly magazines from the years of 1861 and 1862--the crucial first years of the US Civil War. This is not one of the acidic centennial reprints, but a rare antiquarian binding of the original 1861,62 issues, roughly from the June 15th, 1861 issue through the end of the year, and then up through the May 31, 1862 issue--750 pages in all. Coverage includes the Ellsworth murder; numerous engravings by Winslow Homer; the Battle of Big Bethel; installments of Charles Dickens's Great Expectations and Christmas stories; the Wheeling Convention; numerous battle maps; bird's-eye view engravings of Washington D.C., New Orleans, Richmond, Charleston, etc...; bombardment of Fort Hatteras; surrender at Lexington; numerous commander portraits; numerous political cartoons; a December 14th cover illustration showing the density of slave populations by Georgian counties; "Christmas Boxes in Camp"; the Battle of Mill Spring; the capture of Fort Henry; "Ice Skating Carnival at Brooklyn"; the surrender of Fort Donelson; the Battle of Winchester; the Battle of the Monitor and the Merrimac; and the battle of Pittsburg Landing (Shiloh). A family that subscribed to such a weekly would usually send the saved issues at the close of the year to a binder. If an issue was unaccounted for, it was not unusual to have gaps in the compilation. Also, it was not unusual for a subscriber to begin mid-year and have a binding that would include, say, June to May, like this one. If this compilation was complete, it would be 850 pages, but 6 of the issues (July 13; August 3,10, & 17; March 1 & 29) and two leaves (pp. 389,90; 395,96) are not included. Please review the video I've included. I could have uploaded pictures all day. This also includes the "Map of the Southern States," a very large map that was assembled by unfolding the centerfold of the November 9, 1861 issue. These rarely survive, but this one has been preserved and is included as an insert in the back of the binding. Also included in your purchase is a 10 x 14-inch laminated reprint of the map, so as to save the original from handling. Having the laminated reprint is helpful as an easy reference to battle positions and in assessing road, railroad access and such, and in deciding which of the 4 maps to refer to. You will see these rarely on Ebay, in pieces, mildewed, falling apart, with scores of pages removed to be used as framed prints. This copy is in very-carefully-restored condition, and has been recently reblocked and rebound with new spine cloth, new hinges, and five added placeholding ribbons. Various small repairs can be found, using acid-free binder's tissue, and many older repairs are also present using paper patches instead, in the traditional librarian's manner (markings show this once was in a Wisconsin library collection.) There are some light moisture stains at edges (please see pics) and minor foxing. The pulp remains durable. The pages are clean and bright; the binding is very tight and square. The map was rescued, so it has lots of acid-free repairs and chips where you see white patches. This truly marvelous relic of American history will make a stunning centerpiece to any rare books or Civil War collection or a very special and thoughtful gift. Please click HERE to see other Lincoln and Civil War items we offer! Please click HERE to peruse our entire shelf of Americana!** Have you seen all the amazing first and rare editions of iconic books we offer? We gladly combine shipping and refund the shipping overpayment, so please check out our other items! -- other auctions of classic antiquarian literature and special gifts!** Thank you for your interest! ***Priority shipping options are available at checkout!***

Price: 1749.95 USD

Location: Bronx, New York

End Time: 2024-02-08T08:00:01.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD