1881 Cornwallis Surrender Yorktown Centennial, Howard Pyle Supplement, Baltimore — Oct 22
$77.77
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1881 Cornwallis Surrender Yorktown Centennial, Howard Pyle Supplement, Baltimore — Oct 22
📜 ABOUT THIS PIECE OF HISTORY 📜
This October 22, 1881 issue of Harper's Weekly — complete with its rare Yorktown Supplement — is one of the most historically significant issues of the entire fall 1881 run, documenting the centennial celebration of America's defining Revolutionary War victory with a spectacular Howard Pyle supplement print that most copies of this issue do not include. For collectors of American Revolutionary War history, Howard Pyle illustration, Yorktown history, and Gilded Age Americana, this is an exceptional and rarely complete primary source document.
⚠️ RARE SUPPLEMENT — "THE SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS" BY HOWARD PYLE
The crown jewel of this issue — and the element most often missing from other copies — is the rare supplemental print: "The Surrender of Cornwallis" by Howard Pyle — one of America's greatest illustrators and the father of American illustration, whose work defined the visual language of historical narrative art for generations. Pyle's depiction of the surrender of General Cornwallis at Yorktown on October 19, 1781 — the moment that effectively ended the American Revolutionary War — is rendered with his characteristic mastery of historical drama, period detail, and compositional power. This supplement is seldom found with the regular issue, making copies that retain it substantially more rare and valuable than standard examples. A fully displayable masterpiece of American historical illustration and a landmark piece for collectors of Howard Pyle, Revolutionary War history, and American illustration art.
🎺 "THE CELEBRATION AT YORKTOWN"
A full illustration documenting the centennial celebration of the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia — the great national commemoration that drew President Chester Arthur, foreign dignitaries, military leaders, veterans, and thousands of Americans to the historic battlefield to mark the hundredth anniversary of the victory that secured American independence. A primary source document of one of the most significant national commemorations of the 19th century.
⚔️ "IN THE TRENCHES BEFORE YORKTOWN — WASHINGTON INSPECTING THE BATTERIES"
A dramatic historical illustration depicting George Washington personally inspecting the artillery batteries during the Siege of Yorktown — a vivid piece of Revolutionary War historical illustration capturing the decisive military operations that forced Cornwallis's surrender. A prized piece for collectors of Washington history, Revolutionary War military history, and Victorian historical illustration.
🦅 FRONT PAGE — "THE BALTIMORE ORIOLE CELEBRATION"
The front page presents a lively illustration of the Baltimore Oriole Celebration parade — a major civic celebration in Baltimore marking the centennial of the Yorktown victory, with a related article inside. A charming and historically significant document of Gilded Age civic celebration and Baltimore history.
🔍 CONDITION & TRANSPARENCY 🔍
Completeness: Complete 16-page issue with the rare Yorktown Supplement included — the Howard Pyle "Surrender of Cornwallis" print that most copies of this issue lack.
Authenticity: Guaranteed original woodblock printing from October 22, 1881 — not a reproduction.
Condition Report: Presents well for its 144-year age. Natural toning to the newsprint consistent with age. The Howard Pyle supplement print, the Yorktown celebration illustrations, the Washington at the batteries engraving, and the Baltimore parade front page 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 to ensure safe arrival of the supplement print
Fully tracked for your peace of mind
🏷️ TAGS
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1881 Cornwallis Surrender Yorktown Centennial, Howard Pyle Supplement, Baltimore — Oct 22
$77.77