1881 Coney Island Pigeon Shooting, Yacht Racing, Nast "Pound Him" — Jul 9
$49.49
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1881 Coney Island Pigeon Shooting, Yacht Racing, Nast "Pound Him" — Jul 9
📜 ABOUT THIS PIECE OF HISTORY 📜
This July 9, 1881 issue of Harper's Weekly — published just one week after the shooting of President Garfield — captures Gilded Age summer leisure at its most vivid: pigeon shooting at Coney Island, yacht racing at Marblehead, the Coney Island Cup Race, and Thomas Nast's sharp political commentary. For collectors of Thomas Nast, Coney Island history, American yachting history, Victorian sporting culture, and Gilded Age Americana, this is a richly illustrated summer issue of great historical charm.
🎨 FULL FRONT PAGE — THOMAS NAST: "POUND HIM"
The full front page delivers a Thomas Nast political cartoon titled "Pound Him" — a forceful and characteristically combative commentary on the political battles of the Garfield administration, published just one week after Garfield's shooting and carrying the raw political energy of a nation in crisis. A fully displayable Nast original of great interest to collectors of American political cartooning and Garfield assassination history.
🎯 "PIGEON SHOOTING AT THE BRIGHTON BEACH FAIR GROUNDS, CONEY ISLAND"
A full-page illustration of pigeon shooting at the Brighton Beach Fair Grounds on Coney Island — one of the most fashionable and controversial sporting events of the Gilded Age summer season. Live pigeon shooting was the premier marksmanship competition of the era, drawing the finest shots in America and large crowds of spectators to the Coney Island grounds, where prize money and sporting prestige attracted competitors from across the country. Brighton Beach was at the height of its Gilded Age popularity in 1881, and this engraving is a rare and fascinating primary source document of Coney Island's sporting history before the age of roller coasters and amusement parks — of great interest to collectors of Coney Island history, Brooklyn history, Victorian sporting culture, and 19th-century marksmanship history.
⛵ "YACHTING AT MARBLEHEAD"
A full-page illustration of yachting at Marblehead, Massachusetts — the most celebrated sailing destination on the New England coast and the summer playground of Boston's sporting elite. The waters off Marblehead were famous for their racing conditions, and the Marblehead regattas drew the finest yachts and sailors in America each summer. A beautiful and displayable piece of American yachting history and New England coastal illustration.
🏆 "THE CONEY ISLAND CUP RACE"
A full-page illustration of the Coney Island Cup Race — one of the most prestigious sailing competitions of the Gilded Age summer calendar, drawing elegant yachts and their wealthy owners to the waters off Coney Island in a spectacular display of speed, seamanship, and social competition. A vivid and collectible piece of American yachting history and Coney Island sporting history.
🏔️ "NAN'S MOUNTAIN REVERIE"
A nearly full-page illustration — "Nan's Mountain Reverie" — a beautifully composed Victorian genre scene of a young woman lost in contemplation amid mountain scenery, capturing the era's romantic idealization of nature, solitude, and feminine reflection. A warmly observed and displayable piece of Victorian genre illustration and American landscape art.
🔍 CONDITION & TRANSPARENCY 🔍
Completeness: Complete 16-page issue.
Authenticity: Guaranteed original woodblock printing from July 9, 1881 — not a reproduction.
Condition Report: Presents well for its 144-year age. Natural toning to the newsprint consistent with age. The Nast front page, the Coney Island pigeon shooting illustration, the Marblehead yachting full page, and the Coney Island Cup Race print are all clear and displayable.
I photograph every page of every issue so you can inspect the condition closely before purchasing. Please review all images carefully and don't hesitate to ask any questions — I'm happy to provide additional detail or close-up shots of any page, illustration, or area of concern before you buy.
📦 SHIPPING & PRESERVATION 📦
Housed in an acid-free archival folder with Mylar overlay to protect the 144-year-old newsprint
Flat-shipped with heavy-duty reinforcement
Fully tracked for your peace of mind
🏷️ TAGS
1881 Harpers Weekly, Coney Island Pigeon Shooting Brighton Beach, Coney Island Cup Race Yachting, Yachting Marblehead Massachusetts, Thomas Nast Pound Him, Gilded Age Coney Island History, Victorian Pigeon Shooting Sport, American Yachting History 1881, Brighton Beach Coney Island 1881, Garfield Assassination Week, Antique Newspaper 1881, 19th Century Americana, Gilded Age Summer Sports, Brooklyn Coney Island History, Victorian Sailing Competition
1881 Coney Island Pigeon Shooting, Yacht Racing, Nast "Pound Him" — Jul 9
$49.49