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Harper’s Weekly – May 31, 1862 – Balloon View of Fort Darling • Richmond Panoramic Centerfold • Naval Battles on the Mississippi
HARPER’S WEEKLY, New York, May 31, 1862
A visually spectacular and content-rich Civil War issue, featuring some of the most dramatic naval and aerial engravings of 1862, topped by a full panoramic double-page view of Richmond, Virginia. Complete in 16 pages.
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⭐ Highlights & Notable Engravings
🎈 Full Front Page – Balloon Reconnaissance of Fort Darling
A breathtaking full-page engraving:
“Balloon View of the Attack on Fort Darling, in the James River, by Commander Rodgers’s Gun-Boat Flotilla (‘Galena,’ ‘Monitor,’ etc.)”
One of the most sought-after aerial perspectives from the Civil War — a brilliant conversation piece and ideal for framing.
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🚢 Major Naval Action on the Mississippi & James River
This issue is packed with naval warfare imagery:
⚓ Full Page – Naval Combat Off Fort Wright (Mississippi River)
Explosive action showing Union gunboats, Confederate positions, and heavy fire.
⚓ Additional Naval Scenes:
“Naval Combat Off Fort Wright…” (second major plate)
Multiple engravings of ironclads and mortar boats
Five-print full-page of British Iron-Clad Ships — excellent crossover interest for naval collectors.
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🏙 Double-Page Centerfold – “View of the City of Richmond, Virginia”
An enormous, detailed panoramic view of Richmond — one of the finest city views Harper’s printed during the war.
Surrounding smaller vignettes include:
The Capitol
Libby Prison
Main Street buildings
Prominent civic structures
A stunning display piece.
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⚔️ Land Warfare & Campaign Scenes
“The Eighth Missouri Volunteers Charging Over the 18th Regulars at the Battle” — dynamic and dramatic
“Hamburg Landing, Tennessee – Commissary Depot of Major-General Halleck’s Army”
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🖼 Other Illustrated Features
Full page: “Mobile and Its Defenses” — six labeled vignettes including Fort Morgan, Port Gaines, and a detailed view of the city
“General View of City of Memphis” (included in your pictures)
Scenes of fortifications, river attacks, and camp life throughout
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🎭 Back Page Political Cartoons (2)
“Caudle Lecture”
“An Advocate of Moral Force”
Classic wartime satire — a nice finishing touch for collectors.
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📝 Condition
Fair to good overall for an 1862 war-date issue.
Expected aging consistent with original periodicals:
Edge and spine wear with small losses
Foxing/tanning
Centerfold intact
Occasional small tears or chips (visible in the photos)
Strong impressions on illustrated plates
📸 Every page is photographed. Please review all images carefully — details matter with 160-year-old newspapers. Feel free to request additional close-ups or ask any questions.
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🖼 Archival Framing Available
I offer museum-quality framing for standout engravings:
Balloon attack on Fort Darling (front page)
Richmond double-page view
Naval battles & ironclad ships
Mobile & its defenses full page
Includes acid-free matting, UV-protective acrylic, and rigid archival backing.
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📦 Shipping
Shipped flat, never rolled
Archival-safe packaging
Fully insured
Combined shipping available
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Harper’s Weekly – May 31, 1862 – Balloon View of Fort Darling • Richmond Panoramic Centerfold • Naval Battles on the Mississippi
$50.00