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Currier & Ives and Contemporaries:
The Chicago firm of Kurz & Allison is well known for its production of commemorative prints of American historical scenes. Founded in 1880, the firm's avowed purpose was to design "for large scale establishments of all kinds, and in originating and placing on the market artistic and fancy prints of the most elaborate workmanship." Elaborate they certainly were- the majority of their prints being bright and dramatic, with action throughout the image. Drawn in a broad, graphic style that developed from Kurz's background as a muralist, these prints have a striking appearance that makes them not only interesting historical images but also excellent decorative prints.
All approx. 21 x 28. Chromolithographs. Very good condition, except as noted.
Prints from the Louis Prang firm. Boston, 1886-1887. Each 15 x 21 7/8. Chromolithographs. Very good condition, except as noted.
A series of striking images of the rare and important Civil War series issued by Louis Prang between 1886 and 1888. In the early 1880s, Century Magazine had issued a very popular work entitled Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, and the Kurz & Allison firm (cf. above) had issued a large chromolithograph of Gettysburg. In response to these, Louis Prang decided to issue a portfolio of 18 elaborate chromolithographs of important battles of the war. Prang termed his prints "aquarelle facsimile prints" to distinguish them from "mere" chromos. Prang claimed they were made by a "new and secret process", but primarily they were chromos done without any line work. They were based on watercolors commissioned by Prang and they were intended to be naturalistic and accurate, for Prang was aiming these prints for veterans and their descendants. Prang got testimonials on their accuracy from prominent veterans and he included detailed text on the battles involved. The prints were quite popular, helping to create a great surge in patriotic nostalgia about the war.
There were 18 prints in all: 6 of eastern battles, 6 of western battles, and 6 naval images. There was intended to be something for everyone, and Prang focused mostly on heroes who were still living at the time. The were issued either in a portfolio or separately for framing. At first they were issued in parts over time, but eventually were packaged into three groups: East/West/Naval. These are not to be confused with the more common later Prang chromos, also issued by the American Lithographic Company (cf. below). Not only are these more finely produced, but they are also much scarcer.
From the top of a hill, General Ulysses S. Grant uses a field glass to follow the Union assault on Missionary Ridge. Grant is joined by Generals Gordon Granger (left) and George H. Thomas, whose chief of staff would later this image as a "beautiful lifelike picture." Thulstrup's details are noteworthy, from the orderly that holds the general's horses in the foreground to the artillery smoke rising from the distant enemy. $850
Near the end of the long siege of Vicksburg, Union General M. D. Leggett's Illinois soldiers battled for the Confederate stronghold of Fort Hill. In this image, Thulstrup illustrates the volley of hand grenades and rifle fire exchanged during the long, bloody fight between equally determined armies on June 25, 1863. With his dramatic portrayal of the flag bearer near the top of the hill, he signals the Union victory. $875
Prang also issued some less expensive versions of these still very attractive Civil War images beginning about 1888. These were reissued later by the American Lithographic Co. All of the following are from the latter reissue, unless identified otherwise.
Winslow Homer "The Army of the Potomac -- A Sharp-Shooter on Picket Duty." New York: Harper's Weekly, 1862. 9 1/8 x 13 3/4. Wood engraving. Light stain in top margin, not affecting image. Otherwise, very good condition. $750
Go to page with listing of more Homer Civil War prints, as well as other subjects by this artist
Small illustrations of the Civil War
Even before the Civil War finished, history books and various magazines began to include small prints showing scenes of events in the Civil War. These were mostly steel engravings, but lithography and wood engraving was also used. Some were done quicly and crudely, but others were produced with great care and considerable accuracy.
The 55th Massachusetts Colored Regiment was trading during 1863 in Readville, Massachusetts, comprised of some recruits left over from the famous 54th Regiment plus others, including over 200 from Ohio, among who was Joshua Dunbar, father of poet Paul Lawrence Dunbar. The regiment served in North Carolina, Florida, and South Carolina. The regiment marched in the the "liberated" city of Charleston on February 21, 1865. This interesting print shows the joy of the freed blacks in the city at viewing this "colored" regiment, along with highlighting that the officers were white. $125
In 1863, even before the Civil War ended, historian Samuel Mosheim Schmucker (1823-1863) produced A History of the Civil War: with a preliminary views of its causes, and biographical sketches of its heroes. Schmucker died that same year, but his work was revised and completed by after the war by L.P. Brockett (1820-1893). The second edition, according to the title page, contained "full, impartial and graphic descriptions of the various military and naval engagements, with the heroic deeds achieved by armies and individuals, touching scenes and incidents in the camp, the cabin, the field and the hospital. And biographical sketches of its heroes." This edition was also expanded in its illustrations. The first edition contained engravings of scenes from the Civil War mezzotinted by John Sartain and his son Samuel, including some terrific nighttime marine images. The second edition added lithographed scenes, along with portraits and maps, at least some identified as being lithographed by the important Philadelphia firm of P.S. Duval & Son. These are quite rare and unusual contemporary images of the Civil War.
©The Philadelphia Print Shop, Ltd. Last updated June 28, 2010
"Entrance of the Fifty Fifth Massachusetts (Colored) Regiment into Charleston, Feb. 21, 1865." From J.T. Headley's The Great Rebellion. Hartford: American Publishing Co., 1867. Steel engraving. 4 1/2 x 6 1/2. Very good condition.
Prints from Samuel M. Schmucker's The History of the Civil War in the United States. Its Cause, Origin, Progress and Conclusion. Revised and completed by Dr. L. P. Brockett. Philadelphia: Jones Bros. & Co. and Chicago: Zeigler, McCurdy & Co, 1865, On sheets 6 1/2 x 9 3/4. Engravings and lithographs. Some occasional light spots or other blemishes. Overall, very good condition.
Go to list of other illustrations from Schmucker's work
Engravings. Ca. 4 x 6 1/4.
Lithographs. Ca. 5 1/2 x 8.
Go to subject indexContinue with list of Civil War prints
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