1861 Civil War Fort Pickens Harper's Weekly April 13 Lincoln Dickens
$62.62
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This April 13, 1861, issue of Harper's Weekly is a hauntingly significant historical document, published just two days before the first shots were fired at Fort Sumter. It captures a nation on the absolute precipice of the Civil War, documenting the frantic military movements alongside glimpses of traditional American life that would soon be forever altered.
Title: 1861 Civil War Fort Pickens Harper's Weekly April 13 Lincoln Dickens
📜 ABOUT THIS PIECE OF HISTORY 📜
📜 Preparations for Conflict: This issue provides a vital look at the military build-up in the final days of peace. It features detailed prints of Fort Pickens, Florida, a key federal stronghold that remained in Union hands throughout the war, including the boat house, landing, and the flank casement batteries. The front page shows the "Daniel Webster" sailing from Point Isabella, Texas, with U.S. troops on board—a direct record of the mobilization for the coming struggle.
📜 American Home Scenes: In stark contrast to the looming war, the double-page centerfold features six "American Home Scenes," documenting the social fabric of the 19th century. These include "The Applecut," "The Dance," "Quilting," and "Raffling." Most notably, it includes "Husking Corn" and "The Breakdown," providing rare contemporary depictions of African American life and leisure.
🌟 FEATURED HIGHLIGHTS 🌟
🎖️ Military Mobilization:
Front-Page: "Point Isabella, Texas, with the 'Daniel Webster' sailing with U.S. Troops" — A dramatic view of the final troop movements before the outbreak of war.
Fort Pickens, Florida: Two detailed prints documenting the strategic defenses of one of the few forts not seized by the Confederacy.
🏛️ Political Satire & Abraham Lincoln:
The back page features four political cartoons, including a significant early-war depiction of Abraham Lincoln as he navigated the secession crisis.
🎭 Cultural & Literary History:
"An Olio of the Year 1800": A full page of nine satirical prints comparing the "modern" fashion of 1861 to the styles of sixty years prior.
Charles Dickens: This issue contains a serialized portion of the classic novel "Great Expectations," showcasing the era's literary tastes even as the country faced collapse.
🔍 CONDITION & TRANSPARENCY 🔍
Completeness: This is the complete 16-page issue, including the original front page and the centerfold.
Authenticity: Guaranteed original woodblock printing from April 13, 1861, not a modern reproduction.
Condition Study: I take pictures of the entire sheet so you can study the condition. Look for the crisp architectural lines of the Fort Pickens batteries and the detailed expressions in the "Home Scenes" centerfold.
🥂 WHY IT IS A MUST-HAVE 🥂
Civil War Historians: One of the final "Peace" issues, documenting the military landscape 48 hours before the war officially began.
Lincoln Collectors: Features a rare early-presidency cartoon of Lincoln during the Fort Sumter crisis.
Dickens Enthusiasts: An original opportunity to own a piece of literary history with a 19th-century printing of Great Expectations.
Custom Framing: I offer professional framing for any item in my shop. The Fort Pickens prints or the "Home Scenes" centerfold would make a museum-quality historical focal point!
📦 SHIPPING & PRESERVATION 📦
Safe Storage: Housed in an acid-free archival folder with a Mylar overlay to protect the 165-year-old newsprint.
Flat Shipping: Shipped with heavy-duty reinforcement to ensure the issue arrives safely.
Tracked: All orders include tracking for your peace of mind.
🏷️ TAGS (SEO) 🏷️
1861 Harpers Weekly, Civil War Start, Fort Pickens Florida, Abraham Lincoln Cartoon, Great Expectations Charles Dickens, American Home Scenes, Husking Corn Breakdown, April 13 1861.
1861 Civil War Fort Pickens Harper's Weekly April 13 Lincoln Dickens
$62.62