March 7 1857 Harper's Weekly, Taking of Chinese Barrier Forts, Second Opium War, The Wild Huntsman, Vol 1 No 10

This March 7, 1857 issue is a critical primary source for Military and Naval History, documenting a fierce American intervention in the Far East. Published in the very first quarter of the magazine's existence, it features rare first-hand accounts of the Battle of the Barrier Forts in China.

​Title: March 7 1857 Harper's Weekly, Taking of Chinese Barrier Forts, Second Opium War, The Wild Huntsman, Vol 1 No 10


​Item Description
​Step into the frontline of the 19th-century global conflict! 🗞️ This original 16-page issue of Harper’s Weekly (Vol. 1, No. 10) captures the United States Navy in action during the "Arrow War" (Second Opium War) in China.
​Major Historical Content:
​⚓ "How We Took the Chinese Forts": This issue features a gripping multi-illustration report on the U.S. Navy's assault on the Barrier Forts near Canton (Guangzhou).
​Engravings include: "Attack of the Portsmouth and Levant Upon the Forts" and "Fort Tung-Un After the Capture." * These prints document a rare 1850s military engagement between the U.S. and the Qing Dynasty, making this a vital piece for naval historians. ⚔️🇨🇳
​🏹 The Wild Huntsman: Features artistic scenes from the folk-legend "The Wild Huntsman" (Der Wilde Jäger), a classic piece of European romanticism and mythology that was highly popular with Victorian audiences.
​📜 Volume 1 Heritage: As issue #10 of the debut year, this is a "Top 10" foundation issue. The paper quality and small-engraving style are characteristic of the magazine’s earliest months before they transitioned to full-page layouts.
​🌍 Global Diplomacy: Contains reports on the height of the Second Opium War and the shifting alliances between Britain, France, and the United States in the East.


​🔍 Condition
​I take high-resolution pictures of every single page. Please look carefully at the photos to study this 168-year-old paper. As a "Volume 1" issue, it has been remarkably well-preserved. Note the authentic mid-century toning and the clarity of the naval battle engravings. My "every page" photo policy ensures you see exactly what you are adding to your collection! 📸
​Note: This is the complete 16-page main edition.


​📦 Shipping & 🖼️ Archival Framing
​Professional Shipping: Your history will arrive flat, secure, and tracked. I never fold or roll these delicate 1850s documents. They are protected by heavy-duty boards to ensure they arrive in gallery-ready condition. 🚫🗞️

​Archival Framing Available: The naval battle prints are incredible candidates for a maritime-themed room. I offer Custom Archival Framing upon request, using UV-protected acrylic and acid-free matting to preserve the paper and prevent yellowing. 🏛️


​💎 Why It’s Collectible
​Early US-China Conflict: Original 1857 reports of the U.S. Navy in China are exceptionally rare and highly sought after by military collectors.
​Volume 1, No. 10: Issues in the "single digits" or early tens are the most prized by Harper's Weekly archivists.
​Naval Iconography: The engravings of the USS Portsmouth and USS Levant are classic examples of mid-century woodblock naval art.


​SEO Keywords
​1857 Harpers Weekly, Battle of the Barrier Forts, Canton China History, Second Opium War, USS Portsmouth, USS Levant, Naval History Print, Chinese Forts Attack, 19th Century Military, Antique Newspaper, Volume 1 Harpers, Antique Ephemera.
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