Nov 29 1873 Harper's Weekly, Thomas Nast Cuban Question, Virginius Affair Massacre, Tammany Phoenix

This November 29, 1873 issue of Harper’s Weekly is a powerful historical document, dominated by the escalating international tension of the Virginius Affair and the sharp, provocative art of Thomas Nast. It offers a visceral look at 19th-century diplomacy and the grim realities of the Ten Years' War in Cuba.


​Title: Nov 29 1873 Harper's Weekly, Thomas Nast Cuban Question, Virginius Affair Massacre, Tammany Phoenix


​Main Issue Highlights
​🎨 Thomas Nast & "The Cuban Question": The front page features a landmark political cartoon by Nast showing President Grant with Miss Liberty. It captures the delicate balance of American neutrality during the Cuban rebellion against Spain.
​⚔️ The Butchery in Cuba: This issue provides extensive, graphic visual reportage on the execution of crew members from the ship Virginius by Spanish authorities. It includes:
​"The Butchery in Cuba—Victims of Spanish Barbarity": A full-page illustration documenting the tragedy.
​"The Butchery in Cuba": A second full-page visual record of the events.
​"The Spanish Bull in Cuba Gone Mad": A legendary full-page Thomas Nast cartoon personifying Spanish aggression.

​🖼️ "The Bashful Model" Centerfold: A beautifully detailed double-page centerfold illustration titled "The Bashful Model," showcasing the high-caliber artistic engravings the publication was known for.
​⚓ In Quarantine: A nearly full-page engraving titled "In Quarantine," providing a rare look at 19th-century maritime health and safety protocols.
​Supplement Summary and Highlights
​The included 8-page supplement adds significant depth with rare political satire and Victorian literature:
​🔥 "The Tammany Phoenix": The back page features a significant Thomas Nast political cartoon titled "The Tammany Phoenix in a Fighting-Cock," a biting satire of New York’s notorious Tammany Hall political machine.
​🎄 Holiday Literature: Includes a dramatic three-quarter page illustration for the festive story "Golden Grain: A Christmas Story" by B.L. Farjeon.
​📚 Serial Fiction & Narratives:
​Continuing installments of "The Parisians" by Edward Bulwer-Lytton and "Phineas Redux" by Anthony Trollope.
​The social engraving "Then We Will Take These Little Ones With Us" captures the sentimental narrative style of the era.


​🔍 Condition
​I have provided high-resolution photos of every page. This 152-year-old issue is complete in 16 pages plus the 8-page supplement. The wood engravings remain dark and crisp, with authentic, light age-toning that confirms its late 19th-century origin.
​📦 Shipping & 🖼️ Archival Framing
​Professional Shipping: Your history will arrive flat, secure, and tracked. These delicate documents are protected by heavy-duty archival boards to prevent any rolling or folding during transit. 🚫🗞️
​Archival Framing Available: The Nast "Cuban Question" cover or the "Tammany Phoenix" are museum-quality candidates for display. I offer Custom Archival Framing upon request, using UV-protected glass and acid-free matting to preserve these prints for the future. 🏛️


​💎 Why It’s Collectible
​Nast’s Foreign Policy Art: Thomas Nast's work on the Cuban crisis is a vital primary source for the history of the Grant administration's foreign relations.
​The Virginius Affair: This issue is an essential record for maritime history collectors interested in 19th-century international naval disputes.
​Tammany Hall Satire: Original Nast cartoons targeting Tammany Hall are among the most sought-after pieces of American political ephemera.


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