Harper's Weekly December 17, 1870 Foundation of the Brooklyn Bridge Americans Leaving Paris

Title: Harper's Weekly December 17, 1870 Foundation of the Brooklyn Bridge Americans Leaving Paris Thomas Nast
​About This Piece of History 🕰️
​This December 17, 1870, edition of Harper’s Weekly is a landmark issue for New York historians, capturing the literal "groundbreaking" moments of an American icon. It features one of the earliest and most detailed visual records of the Brooklyn Bridge (then known as the East River Bridge) under construction, nearly 13 years before its completion. Combined with high-stakes reporting from the Siege of Paris, this issue is a premier artifact for collectors of civil engineering and 19th-century global drama.
​Featured Highlights in This Issue:
​🌉 The Foundation of the Brooklyn Bridge: A magnificent full page of illustrations and text documenting five distinct scenes in the construction of the bridge's foundations. These early prints provide a rare look at the caissons and the monumental engineering effort required to bridge the East River. It is a museum-quality candidate for archival framing by any New York City history enthusiast.
​🇫🇷 "Americans Leaving Paris": The front page features a full-page illustration depicting American citizens evacuating the French capital as the Prussian siege tightened. This is a vital record of the diplomatic and civilian impact of the Franco-Prussian War.
​⚔️ "In The Trenches" & "Victory": Two powerful full-page illustrations documenting the visceral reality of 1870 warfare. "In The Trenches" is accompanied by a poignant poem, reflecting the Victorian era's sentimental yet gritty approach to military life.
​🕊️ The Pigeon Post: Includes three small but fascinating illustrations documenting the carrier pigeons used to fly messages over Prussian lines. These prints are highly sought after by collectors of postal and avian military history.
​🌳 Blooming Grove Park — "The American Fontainebleau": A half-page illustration of this early American hunting and fishing club in Pennsylvania. It offers a beautiful pastoral contrast to the urban and military scenes elsewhere in the issue.
​🥖 Life Under Siege: A half-page illustration: "Parisians Waiting to Procure Ration Tickets," providing a somber look at the hunger and desperation within the "City of Light" during the investment.
​🎨 Thomas Nast Back Page: Features a sharp Thomas Nast political cartoon, continuing his relentless commentary on the era's social and political landscape.
​Detailed Condition & Transparency 🔍
​Issue Format: This is the complete 16-page issue from December 17, 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 engineering details of the bridge foundations and the atmospheric detail of the Paris evacuation on the cover.
​Examination: Please look closely at the Brooklyn Bridge scenes; the woodblock artistry used to convey the subterranean and underwater work is truly remarkable for the period.
​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 🥂
​Civil Engineering & Bridge Collectors: Early construction views of the Brooklyn Bridge are exceptionally rare and represent the birth of modern American infrastructure.
​New York City Historians: The combination of the bridge's progress and the local Nast political commentary makes this a definitive "New York" issue.
​Military & Aviation Enthusiasts: The "Pigeon Post" illustrations are foundational pieces for those studying the history of wartime communication.
​Custom Framing Available: I offer custom framing for anything purchased in my shop. If you would like the Brooklyn Bridge scenes or the "In The Trenches" illustration 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, Brooklyn Bridge Construction, East River Bridge History, Americans Leaving Paris, Carrier Pigeon Post, Blooming Grove Park, Paris Ration Tickets, Thomas Nast Cartoon, 19th Century Engineering, Antique New York Print.
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