Civil War Flag Officer DuPont's Squadron Hampton Roads Virginia 1861 Vintage

Description

Antique Print Description
This is an original antique engraved print titled,
"The Great Expedition--The Vessels At Anchor At Hampton Roads Previous to the Departure,"
published in Harper's Weekly, November 16, 1861. The full page print shows two views of Flag Officer DuPont's squadron at Hampton Roads, Virginia, prior to leaving on October 29, 1861 to capture Port Royal, South Carolina.
Ships and geographical features, as identified below the images, are (upper engraving, from left): ferry boats, store ship, steamer Marion, USS Seminole, steamer Ben Deford, ship Grapeshot, Fort Monroe, USS Narragansett, USS Alabama, USS Pawnee, and new ("90-Day") gunboats (lower engraving, from left): store ship, steamer Vanderbilt, steam tug (foreground), store ship, steamer Winfield Scott, steamer Atlantic, USS Minnesota, steamer Baltic, USS Relief, USS Wabash, USS R.B. Forbes, steamer Oriental, steamer Matanzas, steamer Philadelphia, and the Rip Raps. You may be interested in
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Title:
The Great Expedition--The Vessels At Anchor At Hampton Roads Previous to the Departure
Artist/Photographer:
Alexander Simplot
Publisher:
Harper's Weekly
Medium Used:
Wood Engraving
Year:
November 16, 1861
Size:
Full Dated Page - Measuring 11" x 16"
Condition:
Excellent
Description:
Original Authentic Civil War Era Antique Print
Frequently Asked Questions
Are those odd lines on the image a defect in the print?
Antique prints often have faint vertical or horizontal lines visible. Rather than a defect, they are a fascinating historical artifact of the popular engraving process employed by newspapers at the time of the Civil War? During the war, newspaper publishers needed a method where they could get the illustrations produced by newspaper artists in the battlefield to the American public as quickly as possible.
To do this, the illustration was divided into sections usually two inches square. Double page prints were divided into as many as 40 sections. The section was traced onto a wood block. Engravers cut into the wood with various tools creating a mirror image of their section of the illustration. The blocks were then screwed together, recreating the original illustration. This would then be inked and stamped onto the newsprint. The lines on the image above are a result of where the blocks of wood were joined together.
Will my antique print deteriorate?
Before 1870, newspapers were not made from wood pulp as they are today. Instead, they were printed on a sturdy paper made by pulping linen rags. These rags came from clothing and ship sails. Because this kind of paper contains very little acid, your antique print could easily retain its appearance for many years into the future, if handled properly.
Why do people purchase antique prints and maps?
Antique prints and maps portray a moment in history. Because they represent a broad range of subjects, they are particularly useful when looking for a unique gift. Interior design has become a huge market for antique prints. From small framed botanicals to large Civil War maps, from large framed old city views to a collection of framed Harper's satirical cartoons, antique prints provide a world of design possibility. If properly framed, antique prints and maps can be preserved for many decades.
Is this item really authentic or just a reproduction?
You can have confidence that the item you purchase is guaranteed to be an original and not a modern day reproduction of any kind.
Can I return an item I purchase?
All purchases come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.