Catalog Archive
Auction 164, Lot 765

Complete Civil War Atlas with 178 Plates

"[3 Volumes] Atlas to Accompany the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. ", U.S. War Department

Subject: Atlases

Period: 1891-95 (published)

Publication:

Color: Printed Color

Size:
16.4 x 18.6 inches
41.7 x 47.2 cm
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This is a complete, three-volume set of the government's publication covering the Civil War. The set contains 178 double-page sheets of mostly battle plans and troop movements, as well as several sepia-toned pages of photographs plus sheets of uniforms, weapons and flags. The atlas includes a Title Page, Preface and Table of Contents. These plates were issued between 1891 and 1895 to accompany the Official Army Records and were published under the Secretaries of War Redfield Proctor, Stephen B. Elkins, and Daniel S. Lamont by Maj. Gen. George B. Davis assisted by civilian experts Leslie Perry and Joseph Kirkley. The plates were compiled by Capt. Calvin D. Cowles, 23rd U.S. Infantry. Very finely engraved and detailed. An increasingly difficult to find complete issue. Hardbound in the original quarter leather and tips over red cloth boards with gilt titles on front covers. Binding has been further wrapped in a later binding cloth.

References:

Condition: B

Condition code is for the maps which have overall light toning that is slightly more pronounced along sheet edges. The toning is also a bit more prominent at the beginning/end of each volume. There are occasional edge tears and edge chips that are almost entirely confined to the blank margins. Plate #136 (first sheet of volume 3) has an 8" and 1" fold separation at top/bottom respectively, and an edge chip at left that just passes the border. The bindings are in need of repair. The front covers are detached from all three volumes and the back covers are loose. Front endpapers are heavily tattered, chipped and mostly separated from the text block. The original bindings have been wrapped in a later binding cloth. Given the favorable condition of the maps, this example would be a good candidate for professional rebinding.

Estimate: $1,800 - $2,200

Sold for: $1,200

Closed on 9/13/2017

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