Harper's Weekly August 13, 1870 Monmouth Park Hurdle Race Dickens Auction President Grant Long Branch

Title: Harper's Weekly August 13, 1870 Monmouth Park Hurdle Race Dickens Auction President Grant Long Branch


About This Piece of History 🕰️
This August 13, 1870, edition of Harper’s Weekly serves as a fascinating dual-record of high-society leisure and the intensifying Franco-Prussian War. While Europe mobilized for conflict, the American elite were focused on the racing season at Monmouth Park and the summer cottages of Long Branch. This issue is a premier artifact for collectors of equestrian history, presidential memorabilia, and fans of the late Charles Dickens. 📜✨
Featured Highlights in This Issue:
🏇 Grand Stand, Monmouth Park — The Hurdle Race: A spectacular full-page illustration capturing the adrenaline and elegance of 19th-century horse racing. Monmouth Park was the epicenter of American turf culture, and this detailed engraving of the hurdle race is a "must-have" for equestrian enthusiasts and sports historians.
✍️ The Dickens Auction: Includes a detailed text article documenting the historic auction of the late Charles Dickens’s personal effects. Published just months after his death, this provides a rare contemporary look at the dispersal of the literary giant’s estate—a vital record for Dickensians and bibliophiles.
🏠 President Grant’s Cottage at Long Branch: A charming small illustration of the summer White House. Long Branch, New Jersey, was the preferred retreat of President Ulysses S. Grant, and this print documents the birthplace of the "Summer Capital" tradition.
🛡️ King William and His Generals: A full-page feature containing five distinct illustrations of the Prussian leadership. As the war in Europe escalated, Harper's provided American readers with a detailed visual guide to the men commanding the German forces.
🎭 "High Life Below Stairs": A clever and detailed full-page social satire dedicated to the "absentees at Saratoga and Long Branch." This print mocks the domestic staff left behind in the city while their wealthy employers vacationed at the shore, providing a humorous look at Gilded Age class dynamics.
🇩🇪 German Troops Moving to the Front: A half-page illustration capturing the massive mobilization of the Prussian army—a stark contrast to the peaceful racing scenes in New Jersey.
🌆 The City of Coblentz: The front page features a nearly full-page view of this strategic German city at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle, emphasizing the journal's focus on the European "Seat of War."
Detailed Condition & Transparency 🔍
Issue Format: This is the complete 16-page issue from August 13, 1870.
Detailed Documentation: I take pride in my transparency and have taken pictures of every single page of this issue. You can personally inspect the fine detail of the Monmouth Park grandstand and the portraits of the Prussian generals.
Examination: Please look closely at the "Hurdle Race" print; the woodblock artistry used to capture the horses mid-jump is a testament to the skill of the 19th-century engraver.
Authenticity: This is a guaranteed original 1870 printing.
Questions? I am a dedicated partner in your collecting journey. I take pictures of every single page so look closely and ask questions! ✉️📸

Why It’s a Must-Have 🥂
Equestrian & Sports Historians: The Monmouth Park full-page print is a museum-quality candidate for archival framing and a foundational piece of American horse racing history.
Presidential Collectors: Contemporary 1870 views of Grant’s Long Branch cottage are highly sought after by those documenting the personal life of the 18th President.
Dickens Enthusiasts: The report on the Dickens estate auction is a critical primary source for those tracking the provenance of the author’s personal items.

Custom Framing Available: I offer custom framing for anything purchased in my shop. If you would like the Monmouth Park race or the Grant cottage print professionally framed, please message me for details! 🏛️

Shipping & Preservation 📦✈️
Your piece of history is handled with the utmost care. I use acid-free cellophane and ship the issue flat-packed with stiff reinforcement to ensure it arrives exactly as shown in the photographs. Your order is sent with tracking for your peace of mind. 🚚💨

Tags (SEO) 🏷️
1870 Harpers Weekly, Monmouth Park Hurdle Race, Charles Dickens Auction, President Grant Long Branch, King William of Prussia, Franco-Prussian War 1870, High Life Below Stairs, Coblentz Germany, Antique Sports Print, 19th Century Horse Racing.