Charles Magnus. "Declaration of Independence".
New York: Magnus, 1855-70. Engraving. 7 1/2 x 8 (image) plus borders. Two sheet writing paper.
Charles Magnus was a prolific publisher of maps and prints before, during and after the American Civil War. Many of his Civil War images were promotional publications used by newspapers to be given away or included with other publications. Images were also used for letter heads and envelopes such as this fine example. In the 1850s much graphic material was published to keep the states together, and during the war, it evolved into Northern propaganda. After the war such images were used to bind the wounds and achieve reconciliation as the nation approached its centennial in 1876.