Harper’s Weekly March 7, 1863 – Vicksburg Ironclads, Thomas Nast Battle Scene & African American Labor

d, ships flat, and SEO included.
Title
Harper’s Weekly March 7, 1863 – Vicksburg Ironclads, Thomas Nast Battle Scene & African American Labor


Description
📰 Original Civil War–era issue of Harper’s Weekly, published March 7, 1863, during the critical early phase of the Vicksburg Campaign, when Union forces were tightening their grip on the Mississippi River.
This issue is particularly strong for its Thomas Nast double-page battle scene, rare illustrations of African American labor in the Union army, and dramatic naval action involving ironclads at Vicksburg.


Highlights of This Issue
🖤 Front Page – Nicholas Longworth
Full-figure front-page portrait:
“The Late Nicholas Longworth, the Western Millionaire”
Accompanied by a substantial article continuing onto page 2
Longworth was one of the wealthiest men in the Midwest and an important political and economic figure
🪖 African American Labor & Wartime Society
Full-page illustration:
“Paying Off the Teamsters in the Army of the Potomac”
Notable for depicting large numbers of African American workers, offering rare visual documentation of Black labor supporting Union armies
⚓ Vicksburg & Naval Warfare
Full-page illustration:
“The United States Gunboat ‘Indianola’ Ironclad, Running the Blockade at Vicksburg”
Shows the dangerous attempt to penetrate Confederate defenses along the Mississippi
🏙️ The Poor & Displaced in the South
Half-page illustration:
“The Poor of New Orleans Applying to Colonel Thorpe for Employment at the City Surveyor’s Office”
Two additional half-page scenes:
Departure of Registered Enemies of the United States from Port Hickok to Madisonville, Louisiana
Landing of Registered Enemies of the United States at Madisonville, Louisiana
⚔️ Major Double-Page Centerfold – Thomas Nast
Powerful two-page illustration by Thomas Nast:
“A Scene in One of the Battles Before Vicksburg”
A dramatic, action-filled depiction of combat that captures the chaos and intensity of the Mississippi campaign
One of the most visually compelling Nast battle scenes of the war
🗞️ Back Page Political Cartoons
Two cartoons:
“Design for a Modern Historical Picture”
“The Arkansas Traveler”
Satirical commentary reflecting wartime politics and public opinion


Condition
📌 Complete in 16 pages
📸 I photograph every page, so please review all images carefully and ask questions if needed.
Original 1863 issue
Expected age-related toning and light edge wear
Strong impressions throughout
No facsimiles or trimmed pages
Why This Issue Is Especially Desirable
⭐ Large Thomas Nast double-page battle scene
⭐ Strong Vicksburg ironclad coverage
⭐ Rare imagery of African American labor in the Union army
⭐ Important social history from New Orleans & Louisiana
⭐ Balanced mix of battle, naval warfare, politics, and civilian life
This is a high-quality Civil War Harper’s Weekly, appealing to collectors focused on Vicksburg, Thomas Nast, African American history, and Union logistics.


Framing & Display
🖼️ Optional archival framing available
Acid-free matting
UV-protective acrylic (not glass)
Clean, museum-style presentation
Ideal for:
Libraries and studies
Civil War or African American history collections
Educational or gallery display


Shipping
📦 Ships flat (never rolled)
📦 Carefully protected for transit
📦 Tracking included


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