1881 Guiteau Trial Dominates, Statue of Liberty First Rivet, Franz Liszt — Dec 3
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1881 Guiteau Trial Dominates, Statue of Liberty First Rivet, Franz Liszt — Dec 3
📜 ABOUT THIS PIECE OF HISTORY 📜
This December 3, 1881 issue of Harper's Weekly is dominated by the sensational Guiteau trial — the most riveting courtroom drama in America — while delivering two moments of extraordinary historical significance: the driving of the first rivet in the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty and a portrait of Franz Liszt in Weimar. For collectors of Guiteau trial history, Statue of Liberty history, Garfield assassination history, Victorian fine art, and Gilded Age Americana, this issue is a remarkable primary source.
⚖️ EXTENSIVE GUITEAU TRIAL COVERAGE — FRONT PAGE, FULL PAGE & MORE
This issue delivers the most comprehensive single-issue illustrated coverage of the Guiteau trial in the entire Harper's Weekly run — making it an exceptional primary source document for collectors of legal history, Garfield assassination history, and American criminal justice history:
Front page half-page illustration of "The Trial of Charles Jules Guiteau" with three small portraits of the key legal figures — District Attorney Corkhill, Presiding Judge Walter S. Cox, and Defense Counsel George M. Scoville
Full-page interior illustration: "The Trial of Charles Jules Guiteau — A Scene in Court" — capturing the electric courtroom atmosphere, the defendant's theatrical behavior, and the assembled legal talent with vivid documentary detail
Three large illustrations of "Incidents of the Trial of Charles Jules Guiteau" — dramatic moments from the proceedings rendered in eyewitness detail
Several small portraits of additional trial participants — creating the most complete illustrated record of the Guiteau trial in a single issue
Guiteau's trial was the 19th century's greatest courtroom spectacle — his erratic behavior, his insistence that God had directed him to remove Garfield, his furious outbursts at witnesses and his own lawyers, and the fundamental questions his case raised about criminal responsibility and the insanity defense made it required reading for the entire nation. These illustrations are primary source documents of one of the most consequential criminal trials in American history.
🗽 "BARTHOLDI'S STATUE OF LIBERTY — MR. MORTON DRIVING THE FIRST RIVET IN THE PEDESTAL"
A quarter-page illustration of one of the most historically significant moments in the history of America's most iconic monument — Levi P. Morton, the American banker and future Vice President, driving the ceremonial first rivet into the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty at the foundation ceremony in New York. The Statue of Liberty would not be dedicated until October 1886 — this 1881 illustration documents the very beginning of the construction process that would culminate in America's greatest symbol of freedom and democracy. A rare and historically significant primary source document of Statue of Liberty history of great interest to collectors of New York City history, American monument history, and Gilded Age civic culture.
🎹 "FRANZ LISZT IN WEIMAR"
A quarter-page portrait of Franz Liszt — the greatest pianist and one of the most celebrated composers of the 19th century — at his home in Weimar, where he had established the most influential piano teaching studio in the world. A prized piece for collectors of classical music history and Victorian European cultural life.
⛵ "THE CRUISE OF THE 'ALLIANCE'"
A full-page illustration of the cruise of the Alliance — continuing Harper's Weekly's coverage of the American naval vessel's voyage through its encounters and maritime adventures. A vivid piece of American naval history.
🎨 "THE SALMAGUNDI SKETCH CLUB — FOURTH ANNUAL BLACK AND WHITE EXHIBITION"
A full-page illustration of the Salmagundi Sketch Club's Fourth Annual Black and White Exhibition at the National Academy of Design — a significant document of New York's vibrant artistic community and the Gilded Age fine art world, capturing one of the most prestigious annual exhibitions of American drawing and illustration. A prized piece for collectors of American art history, New York cultural history, and Victorian fine art.
🔍 CONDITION & TRANSPARENCY 🔍
Completeness: Complete 16-page issue.
Authenticity: Guaranteed original woodblock printing from December 3, 1881 — not a reproduction.
Condition Report: Presents well for its 144-year age. Natural toning to the newsprint consistent with age. The Guiteau trial front page, the full courtroom scene illustration, the three incidents illustrations, the Statue of Liberty first rivet print, and the Liszt portrait 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, Guiteau Trial Courtroom Scene, Statue of Liberty First Rivet 1881, Franz Liszt Weimar Portrait, Guiteau Trial Primary Source, Bartholdi Statue Liberty Pedestal, District Attorney Corkhill, Judge Walter Cox, Salmagundi Sketch Club Exhibition, Garfield Assassination Trial, Statue of Liberty Construction History, Antique Newspaper 1881, 19th Century Americana, Guiteau Trial Legal History, Levi Morton Statue Liberty
1881 Guiteau Trial Dominates, Statue of Liberty First Rivet, Franz Liszt — Dec 3
$38.88