Harper’s Weekly August 15 1868 Thomas Nast Reconstruction Castle Garden Maryland Flood Zouaves Virginia Hunting
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Description
A powerful and richly illustrated August 15, 1868 issue of Harper’s Weekly featuring Thomas Nast’s iconic full-page front cover, “Reconstruction.” This is an original 1868 publication — a striking post–Civil War issue filled with political art, American social history, and vivid engravings. 🇺🇸✨
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⭐ Highlights From This Issue
🎨 Front Page by Thomas Nast
• “Reconstruction” — one of Nast’s most admired allegorical works, symbolizing equal rights and national rebuilding. A standout display piece.
🛬 Immigration & Urban Life
• The Labor Exchange – Emigrants on the Battery, Castle Garden, New York • Interior View of the Office at Castle Garden Fascinating snapshots of 19th-century immigration processing.
🌧️ The Maryland Flood
Three dramatic 1/3-page engravings: • Hillen Street, Baltimore 🌊 • Ellicott City after the flood • Harrison Street, Baltimore These provide rare visual documentation of the destruction.
🚂 The Village Depot
A vertical 2/3-page engraving full of architectural and small-town detail.
🌄 Hunting & the Outdoors
• Rail or Sora Hunting in Virginia • Up Among the Nineties (two 1/2-page outdoor scenes)
🎖️ Military & Public Life
• Competitive Drill Between Boston and New York Zouave Companies • Portrait of Joseph G. Cogswell, LL.D. • View of the Shakespearian Memorial Library in Birmingham, England
⚓ Humor & Small Illustrations
• “Pursuit of Aquatic Knowledge Under Difficulties” • “A Moving Tale”
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📏 Size
Approx. 11 x 16 inches per page.
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📜 Condition
Good overall with typical age toning and minor edge wear. Binding holes from original stitching are present, as expected. Please review all photos carefully to assess condition.
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🖼️ Framing Available
Front-page Nast engravings look exceptional when framed. Message me for optional framing details.
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📦 Shipping
Ships flat with secure packaging and tracking.
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If you'd like a bundle listing with other Reconstruction-era issues or other Nast covers, I can prepare one!