1861 Winslow Homer Havelocks Harper's Weekly June 29 Big Bethel Zouaves
$55.44
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This June 29, 1861, issue of Harper's Weekly is a paramount collector's item, anchored by a rare Winslow Homer cover and featuring the first major land engagement of the war, the Battle of Big Bethel. It provides a vivid look at the early mobilization of Union and Confederate forces in Virginia and the Western theater.
Title: 1861 Winslow Homer Havelocks Harper's Weekly June 29 Big Bethel Zouaves
📜 ABOUT THIS PIECE OF HISTORY 📜
📜 Winslow Homer’s Front Page: The entire front page is a celebrated original wood engraving by Winslow Homer titled "The War—Marking Havelocks For the Volunteers." It captures a domestic scene of women preparing white linen head-covers (Havelocks) for the troops to protect them from the Southern sun—a poignant look at the home front's contribution to the war effort.
📜 The Battle of Big Bethel: This issue contains definitive early reporting on the Battle of Great (Big) Bethel, one of the war's first set-piece battles. It includes a dramatic full-page illustration of the "Charge of Duryee's Zouaves" (5th New York Volunteers), capturing the flamboyant uniforms and raw courage of these elite troops in their baptism by fire.
🌟 FEATURED HIGHLIGHTS 🌟
⚔️ Military Life & Fortifications:
Fortress Monroe: Multiple prints including "Moat and Seward Face of Fortress Monroe" and "Shot & Shell Piled Under the Walls."
Camp Slifer: A full page with three images documenting the troop movements through Chambersburgh, Pennsylvania.
Army of the Potomac: Four scenes providing a comprehensive look at the buildup of the Union’s primary eastern fighting force.
📍 Virginia Operations:
"Leesburg Bridge on the Potomac" and "Rebel Troops at Martinsburg" — Documenting the strategic points held by the Virginians near Harper's Ferry.
"John Tyler's Residence, Hampton, Virginia" — A view of the former U.S. President's home during the occupation.
⚓ Naval & Western Action:
Cairo, Illinois: Three prints showing the 7th and 12th Regiments landing and the batteries on the Ohio Levee used to control river traffic.
The Privateer Savannah: A print of the first Confederate privateer captured by the Union Brig Perry.
🏛️ Fallen Heroes & Contraband:
Lieutenant Greble: A portrait of the first U.S. Army regular officer to die in the Civil War.
"Contraband of War": A significant back-page cartoon depicting enslaved people seeking refuge with the Union army, referencing the "Contraband" policy established at Fortress Monroe.
🗞️ LITERARY & SATIRICAL CONTENT 🗞️
Charles Dickens: This issue continues the original serialized publication of "Great Expectations," one of the crown jewels of Victorian literature.
Political Satire: Three cartoons on the back page provide a sharp, contemporary perspective on the military crisis.
🔍 CONDITION & TRANSPARENCY 🔍
Completeness: This is the complete 16-page issue, including the Winslow Homer front page and the full-page Big Bethel battle scene.
Authenticity: Guaranteed original woodblock printing from June 29, 1861, not a modern reproduction.
Condition Study: I take pictures of the entire sheet so you can study the condition personally. The Winslow Homer cover is particularly well-preserved, showcasing the fine line-work of his early career.
🥂 WHY IT IS A MUST-HAVE 🥂
Winslow Homer Collectors: A cornerstone piece of Homer's war-time portfolio.
Zouave & Big Bethel Historians: Features the definitive contemporary image of Duryee’s Zouaves in action.
Fortress Monroe & Hampton VA Buffs: Extensive architectural and military views of this critical "freedom fort."
Custom Framing: I offer professional framing for any item in my shop. The Homer front page or the Duryee's Zouave charge 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 and its centerfold arrive safely.
Tracked: All orders include tracking for your peace of mind.
🏷️ TAGS (SEO) 🏷️
1861 Harpers Weekly, Winslow Homer The War, Battle of Big Bethel, Duryee's Zouaves, Fortress Monroe, John Tyler Residence, Cairo Illinois, Contraband of War, Great Expectations Dickens, June 29 1861.
1861 Winslow Homer Havelocks Harper's Weekly June 29 Big Bethel Zouaves
$55.44