Lincoln Letter Emancipation Harper's Civil War nwsppr. 1862 Homer dbl. pg issue

Harper's Weekly: A Journal of Civilization.

(Old Periodicals, 19th Century Newspapers, Americana, Harper's Weekly, Civil War, Illustrated Newspapers, Abraham Lincoln, Emancipation, Slavery Question, Iron Clads).

Issued September 6th, 1862, New York, by Harper & Brothers.

Double page centerfold by Winslow Homer.

An actual piece of American history issued during the Civil War. Filled with commentary and wood engraved images relating to that war and issued contemporary to the events.

Original mid-19th century weekly newspaper.  An actual, complete newspaper published at the date listed, not a modern re-issue.

During this period, this journal was a major, influential national publication which employed many of the top artists of the era.

Paper uniformly age toned as typical, some pages loose. Issue was once bound up in a volume and is now free-standing and complete unto itself as originally issued.

Nice looking, clean, well preserved example, pages loosened, any age flaws easy to overlook or forgive. Text on reverse of each page as always, images and maps from Harper's like this are often offered separately for display. 

Newspaper measures c. 16" H x 11" W.

Periodical will be shipped gently rolled in a sturdy 3" wide tube to ensure it arrives safely to you! Multiple issues purchased at the same time will be shipped flat.

[B10751].

The front page shows: "Thomas Fitch Rowland, Builder of the New Monitors" and "The Iron-Clad Frigate 'Ironsides' In Fighting Trim" with related articles.

Of special note is the historic letter headed: "The President On the Negro Question". This was one of the more famous letters from Abraham Lincoln, being his reply to Horace Greeley's editorial of August 20, "A Prayer of Twenty Millions", which urged emancipation. Lincoln replies in his letter with his famous quote: "...My paramount object...is to save the Union, and it is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it...", signed in type: A. LINCOLN. The full text of the letter is seen in the photos. A significant document expressing Lincoln's views on slavery from the middle of the Civil War.

Prints inside include: "The Battle of Baton Rouge" "The Union Gunboat 'Essex' Destroying the Rebel Ironclad Ram 'Arkansas' in the Mississippi" "The Army of the Potomac Arriving at Yorktown from Williamsburg" and "The Last Reconnaissance of the War Balloon on the James River".

The double page centerfold is by Winslow Homer: "Our Women and the War" and includes a heading: "The Influence of Woman" in the war effort & has a related article on the following page. It includes a print of the "Sisters of Charity".

The back page has 2 political cartoons including: "The Finances of the Rebellion".