Rare Original Alexander Gardner Sketch Book Civil War Photograph Quaker Guns Va

  
Rare Original Print from Alexander Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the Civil War. Negative by Barnard & Gibson, positive by Alexander Gardner. An important historical document by one of the most significant photographers of the American Civil War. This s trange and enigmatic image documents the phenomena of so called "Quaker guns". These theatrical mock-ups of real artillery placements.

To great effect by both sides in the American Civil war--but particularly the Confederacy, allowed for the spreading out of an ever dwindling supply of functional ordnance. These were found in the works at Centreville, after the position at Manassas Junction was evacuated by the rebels. It was claimed, and is believed by many that the rebel lines at Centreville were never defended by any others...

Second only to Mathew Brady as the foremost early American photographer was Alexander Gardner, the one-time manager of Brady's Washington salon and Brady's chief photographer in the field during the early days of the Civil War. Indeed, Gardner who later photographed the War independently often managed the famous horse-drawn photographic laboratory and took many of the pictures that used to be attributed to Brady.

He accompanied the Union troops on their marches, their camps and bivouacs, their battles, and on their many hasty retreats and routs during the early days of the War. In 1866 Alexander Gardner published a very ambitious two-volume work which contained prints of some 100 photographs which he had taken in the field. A list of them reads like a roster of great events and great men: Antietam Bridge under Travel, President Lincoln (and McClellan) at Antietam, Pinkerton and His Agents in the Field, Ruins of Richmond, Libby Prison, McLean's House Where Lee's Surrender Was Signed, Meade's Headquarters at Gettysburg, Battery D, Second U.

Artillery in Action at Fredericksburg, the Slaughter Pen at Gettysburg, and many others. This publication is now among the rarest American books. Gardner's photographs are among the greatest war pictures ever taken and are also among the most prized records of American history. Gardner was quite conscious of recording history, and spared himself no pains or risk to achieve the finest results. His work indicates a technical mastery that now seems incredible when one bears in mind the vicissitudes of collodion applications in the field, wet plates, long exposures, long drying times, imperfect chemicals plus enemy bullets around the photographer's ears. It has been said of these photographs: photography today. Is far easier, but it is no better. Here is a rare chance to own an individual original image from this significant Gardner publication. The image is clean and crisp.

The border has a large fold passing down it's length on the right side, that terminates in a small pair of tears, one short (1 1/4") bifurcated tear at the top edge of the leaf and one short (1 1/4") tear at the bottom edge. The all-important image is fully intact and a pleasure to the eye.

A member of numerous professional and collectors organizations, including the Ephemera Society of America, the Daguerreian Society, and the Photographic Historical Society of Canada. An elected member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of Canada and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers. Outside Canada or United States please inquire about rates. We make every effort to describe our items in detail and try to find and sell high quality pieces. If the item does not match our description. The item "Rare Original Alexander Gardner Sketch Book Civil War Photograph Quaker Guns Va" is in sale since Tuesday, November 19, 2019. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Civil War (1861-65)\Original Period Items\Photographs". The seller is "rarephotogallery" and is located in Toronto, Ontario.

This item can be shipped to United States, Canada.

• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States