Harper's Weekly 1864 Metropolitan Fair April 23 Indian War Dance
$45.45
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Title: Harper's Weekly 1864 Metropolitan Fair April 23 Indian War Dance
📜 ABOUT THIS PIECE OF HISTORY 📜
📜 The Height of the Great Fair: This April 23, 1864, issue serves as the definitive visual guide to the Metropolitan Fair in New York at its absolute peak. It documents the fascinating, and sometimes controversial, "departments" created to entertain and solicit donations from the Northern public.
📜 Revolutionary Relics: The issue highlights a direct link to America's founding, featuring the sword surrendered by General Burgoyne at Saratoga, used here to inspire Union patriotism by connecting the current struggle to the War for Independence.
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🏺 FEATURED HIGHLIGHTS 🏺
💃 "Ladies In Attendance in Regulation Costume" (Front-Page): A beautiful full-page cover illustrating the volunteer women of the Metropolitan Fair in their official "Regulation" dress, capturing the organized civilian effort of the New York elite.
🏹 "War Dance — Indian Department": A culturally significant and rare print depicting a performance within the fair. This provides a window into Victorian-era perceptions and the inclusion of Indigenous themes in Civil War-era fundraising.
⚔️ "Department of Arms & Trophies": Features several detailed prints of military hardware, most notably:
"Sword Surrendered by General Burgoyne to General Gates" — a legendary Revolutionary War artifact.
"Army & Navy Swords" — showcasing the craftsmanship of the era.
🧸 "The Children's Dept., Union Square" & "Music Hall": Delightful scenes showing the family-oriented side of the fair, including the "Knickerbocker Kitchen" and the "International Dept."
🏛️ Departmental Vignettes: A wealth of specialized prints including:
"Boat-Builders' Dept." and "Book Dept."
"Interior of Irving Cockloft" — a tribute to Washington Irving.
"Methodist Table" — representing the religious organizations' contributions.
👑 "Maximilian and Wife": A portrait of the Archduke Maximilian of Austria and Carlota, documenting the French intervention in Mexico which was a major concern for the U.S. government during the Civil War.
👗 "Flora McFlimsey": A print referencing the popular satirical poem "Nothing to Wear," mocking the perceived vanities of the era.
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🔍 CONDITION & TRANSPARENCY 🔍
Complete Issue: This is the full, original 16-page issue from April 23, 1864.
Originality: Guaranteed original woodblock printing from 1864—an authentic 160-year-old primary source.
Condition Study: I take detailed pictures of every single page of this issue. Please study these images carefully to assess the specific condition, margins, and paper integrity of this artifact.
Satire: The back page features the cartoon "The Indian Department," providing a satirical bookend to the "War Dance" print inside.
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🥂 WHY IT IS A MUST-HAVE 🥂
Sanitary Fair Collectors: This is the most comprehensive "departmental" issue of the New York Fair, offering the widest variety of specialized interest prints (Arms, Books, Music, etc.).
Revolutionary War Enthusiasts: The imagery of Burgoyne’s surrendered sword makes this a rare "cross-over" piece for those who collect both the 18th and 19th centuries.
New York City Historians: The Union Square and 14th Street building scenes are vital records of NYC’s social and architectural history.
Custom Framing: I offer professional framing for any item in my shop. The "Ladies in Regulation Costume" cover or the "Arms & Trophies" page would make a museum-quality historical display!
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📦 SHIPPING & PRESERVATION 📦
Safe Storage: Housed in an acid-free archival folder to protect the historic rag paper from light and age.
Flat Shipping: Shipped with heavy-duty reinforcement to ensure the issue arrives safely at your door.
Tracked: All orders include tracking for your peace of mind.
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🏷️ TAGS (SEO) 🏷️
1864 Harpers Weekly, Metropolitan Fair New York, Indian War Dance 1864, General Burgoyne Sword, Knickerbocker Kitchen, Union Square History, Maximilian of Mexico, Civil War Homefront, Antique Arms and Trophies, April 23 1864.
Harper's Weekly 1864 Metropolitan Fair April 23 Indian War Dance
$45.45