{"product_id":"1865-john-rock-supreme-court-harpers-weekly-feb-25-petersburg-fire","title":"1865 John Rock Supreme Court Harper's Weekly Feb 25 Petersburg Fire","description":"This February 25, 1865, issue of Harper’s Weekly documents a monumental shift in the American legal and social landscape. Coming just weeks after the passage of the 13th Amendment, this edition highlights the symbolic and literal \"reversal\" of the Dred Scott decision through the elevation of the first African American lawyer to the nation's highest court.\n​Title: 1865 John Rock Supreme Court Harper's Weekly Feb 25 Petersburg Fire\n​📜 ABOUT THIS PIECE OF HISTORY 📜\n​📜 John S. Rock’s Historic Admission: This issue features a landmark portrait and article titled \"John H. Rock, Colored Counselor.\" On February 1, 1865, Rock became the first African American admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. The Weekly eloquently notes that this event, occurring just two days after the abolition of slavery was proposed by Congress, would be seen by future historians as a \"remarkable indication of the revolution\" in the sentiment of the American people.\n​📜 The End of Dred Scott: The text accompanying Rock’s portrait explicitly calls his admission an \"extraordinary reversal of the Dred Scott decision\" and an \"act almost sublime,\" signaling the official death of the legal doctrine that Black Americans could not be citizens.\n​🌟 FEATURED HIGHLIGHTS 🌟\n​⚔️ The Siege of Petersburg:\n​Front-Page: Two prints depicting the grueling winter reality of the war: \"Before Petersburg—Winter Quarters from the Plantation\" and a view of \"Pocotaligo Depot, South Carolina.\"\n​Combat Actions: Detailed interior prints of the Second and First Divisions of the Fifth Corps in action, including a dramatic \"Charge on the Rebel Breastworks\" and fighting at Rowanty Creek.\n​🔥 The Great Philadelphia Fire:\n​Two significant prints documenting the catastrophic fire in Philadelphia, showing the destruction at the corner of Washington and Ninth Streets and a view looking up Federal Street.\n​📍 Life in the Army of the James:\n​\"Negro Quarters, Army of the James\": A poignant look at the living conditions and community established by African American soldiers and refugees within the Union lines.\n​⚓ Naval Incidents:\n​A print titled \"Incident on Board the 'Octorara',\" depicting the daily hazards and dramatic moments of life in the Union Navy.\n​👗 Social History:\n​\"Spring \u0026amp; Summer Fashions for 1865\": A fascinating look at the persistence of domestic life and Victorian style even as the war reached its violent conclusion.\n​🗞️ LITERARY \u0026amp; SATIRICAL CONTENT 🗞️\n​🎨 Home Again! (Double-Page Centerfold):\n​A deeply dramatic and emotional centerfold titled \"Home Again!—The Story Of A Life In Rebel Prisons.\" These narrative illustrations were incredibly popular, depicting the harrowing journey of Union prisoners from captivity back to the safety of their families.\n​🎭 Political Satire:\n​The back-page cartoon, \"Peace Commissioners,\" continues the Weekly’s ongoing commentary on the failed diplomatic attempts to end the war.\n​🔍 CONDITION \u0026amp; TRANSPARENCY 🔍\n​Completeness: This is the complete 16-page issue, including the John Rock portrait and the \"Home Again\" centerfold.\n​Authenticity: Guaranteed original woodblock printing from February 25, 1865, not a modern reproduction.\n​Condition Report: This issue is in excellent historical condition. The John Rock engraving is a crisp, dark strike, making it a premier centerpiece for any collection focused on Black history or American law.\n​📦 SHIPPING \u0026amp; PRESERVATION 📦\n​Safe Storage: Housed in an acid-free archival folder with a Mylar overlay to protect the 161-year-old newsprint.\n​Flat Shipping: Shipped with heavy-duty reinforcement to ensure the issue and its centerfold arrive safely.\n​Tracked: All orders include tracking for your peace of mind.\n​🏷️ TAGS (SEO) 🏷️\n​1865 Harpers Weekly, John Rock Supreme Court, First Black Lawyer Supreme Court, Siege of Petersburg, Fifth Corps Rowanty Creek, Philadelphia Fire 1865, Civil War Fashion, Rebel Prison Home Again, February 25 1865.","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52264018247900,"sku":null,"price":52.33,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0849\/4759\/9580\/files\/b445e94e-il_fullxfull.7812067792_aktq.jpg?v=1786496679","url":"https:\/\/thekeenantiquarian.com\/products\/1865-john-rock-supreme-court-harpers-weekly-feb-25-petersburg-fire","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}