HARPER’S WEEKLY — April 2, 1887 — Mark Twain Bust, Republican Elephant, Casemate Fort Firing, Papago Indians, Ship in Storm

✨ HARPER’S WEEKLY — April 2, 1887 — Mark Twain Bust, Republican Elephant, Casemate Fort Firing, Papago Indians, Ship in Storm — VG/VG+ ✨

This is an original Harper’s Weekly from April 2, 1887, in Very Good to Very Good+ condition, featuring Mark Twain, Native American studies, a dramatic naval front page, political cartoons, military artwork, and a major double-page fort illustration.

A rich, varied, and highly displayable issue.


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📌 Highlights in This Issue

🔥 Full Front Page — Maritime Dramatic Scene

“Ship Ahead!”
by J. O. Davidson (de Thulstrup)
Two sailors battling through a violent storm.
A striking seafaring image — perfect for framing.


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📰 Interior Features & Engravings

⚓ DOUBLE-PAGE CENTERFOLD

“Firing a Gun in an Old Casemate Fort”
by Henry Reuterdahl / H. Zogbaum
A powerful, atmospheric military scene showing troops firing a massive coastal gun inside an old stone fortification.


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🐘 Political Cartoon — W.A. Rogers

“The Republican Elephant Comes Up to Time”
Classic Gilded Age political satire featuring the iconic GOP elephant.


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📚 Interstate Commerce Commissioners

Half-page lineup of the Commissioners
A historic record of early federal regulatory leadership only months after the creation of the ICC.


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🐎 Veterinary Department – University of Pennsylvania

Full-page composite of seven scenes
Includes surgical rooms, classrooms, anatomical teaching, large animal treatment.

Great for collectors of medical or veterinary history.


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🇺🇸 “The Star-Spangled Banner” Article

With an engraving of the
Key Monument, San Francisco
Discusses the ongoing national interest in Francis Scott Key and the song’s patriotic legacy.


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🌵 FULL PAGE — Papago / Tohono O’odham Life

“Sketches Among the Papagos of San Xavier”
12 detailed scenes, including:

Riders

Adobe dwellings

Mission church

Pottery

Native dress and daily activities

Portrait heads
A standout ethnographic illustration.



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🌲 FULL PAGE — “A Log Jam”

A dynamic wilderness rescue / lumberman's illustration — excellent display piece.


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📜 Literary & News Content

Includes:

“The Cranks of the ‘Rainbow’” (fiction)

Commentary on Brooklyn reform

Irish situation

International law

Harbor & coast defense

Numerous smaller sketches


All complete and in place.


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🎭 Back Page Feature — MARK TWAIN

“Mark Twain — Bust of Samuel Clemens by Karl Gerhardt”
A beautifully engraved portrait paired with text about Twain’s life and work.

This is a highly desirable collectible for Twain enthusiasts.


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📜 Condition

VG / VG+ overall

Pages clean, bright, supple

Light expected toning

Binding holes from original volume (normal)

No major tears or losses

All pages complete


A strong, display-quality example.


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🖼 Optional Archival Framing

Available for:

Ship Ahead! front page

Casemate Fort double-page

Papago Indians full page

Republican Elephant cartoon

Mark Twain bust

Log Jam


Acid-free mat + UV acrylic available.


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