Historic Newspapers: Thomas Nast

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 25, 1858  The front page features a print: "Santa Claus Paying His Usual Christmas Visit to His Young Friends" shows him in a sleigh pulled by a turkey, with many toys. This is an early image of Santa Claus before the more common imagine created by Thomas Nast changed his appearance forever.
Inside pages have four prints by famed artist Winslow Homer: "The Christmas Tree" plus 3 more half page Christmas-themed prints captioned: "Christmas - Gathering…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 25, 1858 

* Illustrator Winslow Homer
* Christmas prints & Santa Claus

The front page features a print: "Santa Claus Paying His Usual Christmas Visit to His Young Friends" shows him in a sleigh pulled by a turkey, with many toys. This is an early image of Santa Claus before the more common imagine created by Thomas Nast changed his appearance forever.
Inside pages have four prints by famed artist Winslow Homer: "The Christmas Tree" plus 3 more half…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 20, 1862  Dramatic full front page illustration: "A Gallant Color-Bearer" is by Thomas Nast. Prints inside include: "General Buell's Campaign" showing many views; "Preparations for Defense at Cincinnati--Citizens in the Trenches" showing "Troops Crossing to Covington" and 2 other images.
Historic & dramatic doublepage centerfold: "General Sigel's Corps at the Second Battle of Bull Run--Fought August 29, 1862". Also a full page: "War Map of Kentucky and…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 27, 1862  The front page shows: "The City of Cincinnati" and "Volunteers Crossing the Ohio To Covington". Other prints within include: "The First Virginia (Rebel) Cavalry at a Halt" "The Rebel Army Crossing the Fords of the Potomac for the Invasion of Maryland"; a great full page city view of: "Frederick City, Maryland, While Occupied by the Rebels" and one of "Hagerstown, Maryland While Occupied by the Rebels".
The doublepage centerfold is by famous…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 25, 1862  The full front page is a print of: "Garibaldi, Wounded and A Prisoner". The prints within this issue include 3 scenes: "The Campaign in Maryland--Flag of Truce from the Rebels" "Battle of South Mountain--Franklin's Corps Storming Crampton's Pass" showing 4 views, including Boonesborough, Maryland, and Middleton, Maryland. A full page: "Map of Kentucky, Showing the Theatre of the Contest Between Generals Buell and Bragg" and a fullpg: "Map of Part of…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 27, 1862 The full front page is a very dramatic battle scene captioned: "The Attack on Fredericksburg--The Forlorn Hope Scaling the Hill" which would a nice print for display. Other prints inside include: "The Bombardment of Fredericksburg by the Army of the Potomac", and a full page & very detailed map of Eastern Virginia from Fredericksburg to Richmond. The doublepage centerfold is by the famed artist Thomas Nast, titled: "A Battle as Seen by the…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 3, 1863  The full front front page is an illustration of "Santa Claus in Camp", this being the very first representation of Santa Claus by Thomas Nast in this publication. Inside the doublepage centerfold has two large illustrations of "Christmas Eve, 1862.", by Thomas Nast.
A full page illustration has two 1/2 pg. prints of: "The Attack on the Rebel Works at Fredericksburg by the Centre Grand Division of the Army of the Potomac, on December 13, 1862" and…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 17, 1863  Certainly the most historic content would be the page 2 complete printing of: "By the President of the United States of America - A Proclamation" which is the full text of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed in type by the President: Abraham Lincoln.
Half of the front page: "The Teamsters' Duel" showing two Black men with horse whips. The other half of the front page shows: "The Army of the Potomac in Hunts".
Perhaps the most notable print is a…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 24, 1863  This issue contains a fine centerfold by Thomas Nast: "The Emancipation of the Negroes, January, 1863--The Past and the Future" with several vignettes. This also has an accompanying article which explains the illustration and references the famous Mr. Pierce M. Butler slave auction which took place on March 2-3, 1859 outside of Savannah, Georgia (The "Weeping Day" auction). This was the largest selling of humans in the United States -- 436 men,…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, February 7, 1863  The full front page is taken up with prints of: "Rear-Admiral David D. Porter, Commanding Mississippi flotilla" and "Major-General John A. M'Clernand" as well as a nice print showing: "Bombardment of the Post of Arkansas, January 11, 1863."
Inside contains a full page with 3 view of: "Our New Western gunboats--Lafayette--Choctaw--Indianola". Also: "Torpedo In the Western Rivers" "Stockade on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad" "Major-General…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 7, 1863  The front page features a full-figure print of: "The Late Nicholas Longworth, the Western Millionaire" with the balance of the front page taken up with an article on him, carrying over to page 2.
Other prints within include a full page: "Paying Off The Teamsters in the Army of the Potomac" showing many African-Americans. Also a full page: "The United States Gunboat 'Indianola' Ironclad, Running the Blockade at Vicksburg."; a half page: "the Poor of…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 14, 1863 The full front page is a print of: "Teaching the Negro Recruits the Use of the Minie Rifle", a print showing Black soldiers.
Other nice prints within include a full page with three prints and a map: "Beulah Battery, at the Junction of Burnside and Vernon Rivers", "The Rebel Turtle Ram Just Launched at Savannah", "The Rebel Steamer 'Nashville' Lying at the Railway Bridge, on the Ogeechee River" and "Map of the Environs of Savannah".
Also a one-third…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 4, 1863  Page three has a 4 3/4" by 5" wood-cut illustration of Antonia Ford, a famous (infamous?) female confederate spy during the American Civil War.
The front page shows: "Break in the Mississippi Levee Near the Canal at Vicksburg" & "Cutting Away the Dam at the Head of the Vicksburg Canal". Inside prints include a full page: "A Wedding in the Army of the Potomac" and also: 'A Night Scout in the Southwest--Surprise of an Outpost & Survey of the Rebel Guns"…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 25, 1863  The full front page is a print of: "Admiral Samuel F. Dupont, Commanding the Fleet Off Charleston". Inside page prints include a full page by famed artist Winslow Homer: "Great Sumter Meeting in Union Square, New York"; a full page Thomas Nast cartoon: "A Group of Butternut Prisoners, Taken from Life"; a full page map of: "Charleston, S.C. & Its Approaches, Showing the Scene of the Battle of 7th April."; another full page by Winslow Homer: "The…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 9, 1863  The entire front page is taken up with a print: "On Picket Duty in the Swamps of Louisiana". Inside two half pages show: "Brashear City, Berwick's Bay, La., Base of General Banks's Operations" and "Iron-clad 'Barrataria' Snagged in Amite River, La. and Attacked by Rebel Guerrillas". There is a great full page by Thomas Nast: "Contrabands [slaves] Coming Into our Lines Under the Proclamation" which is very displayable.
The doublepage centerfold shows:…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 30, 1863  The front page has a print of: "The Tug 'Rumsey' Accoutred For Running the Rebel Batteries at Vicksburg" with a related article. Prints inside include a small: "Map of the Vicinity of Vicksburg & Jackson, Mississippi, Showing the Theatre  of General Grant's Operations"; two prints of: "Banks's Campaign in Louisiana" showing: "Engagement at Butte La Rose" & "Destruction of the 'Queen of the West' by Union Gunboats"; a full page: "Colonel Kilpatrick's…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 13, 1863  Perhaps the most notable print is the full page by famed artist Winslow Homer, titled: "Home From the War" showing soldiers embracing their wives & children.
The front page has prints of: "Major-General John A. Logan" and "General Logan Crossing the Bayou Pierre in Pursuit of the Rebels". Other prints include a full page by Thomas Nast: "A Group of Union Prisoners Escorted through a Rebel Town"; a full page with 3 prints: "The Battle of Raymond--Rebel…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 11, 1863  The full front page is an illustration of: "Major-General George G. Meade, the New Commander of the Army of the Potomac". Other prints inside include a full page: "The Siege of Vicksburg--Approach of M'Pherson's Saps to the Rebel Works"; a full page with 3 illustrations: "View of Springfield Landing, Below Port Hudson, Louisiana--A Depot of Supplies for Banks's Army", "The Siege of Port Hudson--General Paine's Head-Quarters at Chambers's Sugar-House"…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 18, 1863  The full front page is a print: "The Bombardment of Port Hudson--The 100-Pound Parrott Gun of the 'Richmond' at Work". Inside has another fullpg. with 2 scenes: "The Bombardment of Port Hudson--A Mortar Schooner at Work" & "Scene of General Paine's Assault on Port Hudson--carrying Off Our dead & wounded Under a Flag of Truce".
One-third page shows: "Destruction of the Bridge Over the Susquehanna at Columbia, Pa."; a smaller print of: "the Late…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 25, 1863  The full front page is a nice portrait of: "Major-General Ulysses S. Grant ("Unconditional Surrender" Grant)". Inside has a full page: "The Siege of Vicksburg--View Upon the Extreme Right, Showing the Mississippi River Above and Below Vicksburg"; a full page with 4 prints: "The Siege of Vicksburg--Blowing Up the Rebel Fort Hill", "The City of Vicksburg Before the War", "Entrance of the Mine Under Fort Hill" and "Under Fort Hill". There is a nice…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, August 22, 1863  The front page has prints of: "Residence of John Burns, At Gettysburg, Pennsylvania" and "John Burns, the Only Man in Gettysburg, Pa., Who Fought at the Battle".
A full page with 8 prints show: "Views of the Gettysburg Battle Field"; another full page has: "General View of Gettysburg, From the West" and "The Army of the Potomac--The Advance of the Twelfth Corps Crossing the Rappahannock".
A nice full page by Thomas Nast: "Army of the…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 19, 1863  The full front page shows: "The Secretary of State and the Diplomatic Corps at Trenton Falls". Inside has a full page: "The Siege of Charleston--The Morning Call to the Rebels" and another full page has 3 prints: "The Siege of Charleston--The Swamp Angel" & "Diagram Showing the Torpedo Buried in the Sand" and "...The Rebels' Last Device in the Torpedo Line". A related article discusses colored troops and Fort Wagner, making specific reference to a…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 10, 1863  The full front page is a nice portrait of: "Major-General George H. Thomas, the Hero of Chickamauga". Inside has a full page: "The Siege of Charleston--the New Black Island Batteries, Four and a Half Miles from Charleston". Another full page has 2 prints: "...Shot & Shell Piled in Front of General Gilmore's Tent" & "...The Covered Way Leading to the Black Island Batteries"
The dramatic doublepage centerfold shows the: "Grand Review of the Army of…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 24, 1863  The full front page is a print: "The War in East Tennessee--Reception of General Burnside by the Unionists of Knoxville". Inside has a full page: "The Life of a Spy--In Nine Tableaux" showing 9 scenes. Another fullpg: "Service and Shoddy--A Picture of the Times" has 6 prints.
The doublepage centerfold is by Thomas Nast: "Honor The Brave" and is very displayable. Other prints include: "How the Rebels Destroy Railroads--Twisting the Rails" "View of…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, November 21, 1863  The full front page print: "The Russian Ball--In the Supper Room." is by famed artist Winslow Homer. The dramatic doublepage centerfold: "The Great Russian Ball at the Academy of Music, November 5, 1863" is also by Homer.
Inside has a full a full page: "Trapping Rebel Guerrillas in the West" is by Thomas Nast. Another full page: "The War in East Tennessee--Drawing Artillery Through the Mountains."
Other prints include: "Dr. William A. Hammond,…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Dec. 5, 1863  The entire front page shows: "The President's Hymn--Give Thanks, All Ye People". However, the most notable content is likely the detailed report of Abraham Lincoln's address at Gettysburg. While the actual address is not provided, considerable details and the rarity of reports make this worthy of interest (see image). The article states in part, "The solemn ceremony at Gettysburg is one of the most striking events of the war..." (see below for the…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 19, 1863  The front page is entirely taken up with two prints: "The Laird 'El Monassir,' Seized by the British Government" and "The Laird Ram 'El Tousson,' Seized by the British Government". Other prints inside include: "The Third Corps Crossing the Rapidan at Jacobs Ford" "The Army of the Potomac--Brooks's Brigade of Warren's Corps Crossing Germania Mills Ford" "The Drummer Boy of Our Regiment--Eight War Scenes" is by famed artist Thomas Nast.
The…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 26, 1863  The feature of this issue is the very displayable doublepage centerfold titled: "Christmas, 1863" which includes 6 vignettes by Thomas Nast, one showing Santa Claus with his bag over his back looking over two sleeping children. This is a very displayable print which measures about 16 by 21 inches.
The front page has two prints: "Hon. Schuyler Colfax, The New Speaker of the House" and "Capture of the Steamer 'Chesapeake' by British Pirates". Inside…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 2, 1864  Part of front page is a cross section: 'Diagram of Monitor 'Weehawken' Sunk in Charleston Harbor'. Also on the ftpg. are prints of: "Frederick VII, Late King of Denmark" and "Christian IX, Present King of Denmark".
Inside has full page prints captioned: "The Army of the Cumberland--General Baird's Division Capturing the Rebel Guns on the Left of Missionary Ridge" and also: "Different Systems of Sailing In The Air" shows some interesting (and…

Published by Charles Dickens... a 6 issue set...

Harper's WEEKLY, January 23 - March 5, 1864  This is a six issue set of Harper's Weekly issues containing all 6 installments of "A White Hand and a Black Thumb", by Henry Spicer, originally published by Charles Dickens' in All the Year Round.  The set provides more than a 10% discount over purchasing the issues individually.  The individual issues are described as: 

Slaves being liberated...
Jan. 23, 1864 Full ftpg: 'Suffering in a Snow storm on the Michigan Central'. Nice fullpg: 'Colored…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 30, 1864  The most desired & notable print is likely the full page captioned: "Emancipated Slaves, White and Colored" showing one man with a brand on his forehead.
The front page shows the: "Ruins of the Church of the Compania, at Santiago, Chili, After the Conflagration". Inside has a full page: "Snowy Morning--On Picket" showing a Civil War soldier in the cold & snow. A very nice & displayable doublepage centerfold: "Central Park In Winter" shows 11…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Feb. 6, 1864  The full front page is a Thomas Nast print: "Thanks To Grant" showing Liberty pinning a medal on him. The doublepage centerfold is a desired Winslow Homer print titled: "Halt Of A Wagon Train" showing soldiers around a camp fire.
Other prints within include: "The Stag Dance" "A Veteran On Furlough" "A Stampede of Army Horses" which is a full page; "Camp of the New York 103rd Regiment Before Charleston" "Accident on the Pennsylvania Central Railroad"…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 2, 1864  The full front page has: "The Soldiers' Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania" and prints of: "General William F. Smith" & "Brigadier-General Henry E. Davies". Inside has a full page print by Thomas Nast captioned: "General Sherman's Rear-Guard" shows many slaves. Other prints include: "Major-General James McAlister Schofield" "Brigadier-General Augustus L. Chetlain" "Supplying Rations to the Destitute About Chattanooga", a page with 5 prints of:…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 9, 1864  The front page has both text and a print on: "The Metropolitan Fair Buildings on 14th Street, New  York". Inside has text on the Civil War including: "Owen Lovejoy" "General Burnside & Colored Troops" which includes a letter signed in type: A. E. Burnside; "The Military Situation" "Rebel Movements in Tennessee & Kentucky" & more.
Other prints include "Metropolitan Fair buildings on Union Square" "Major General John A. Dix..." "Rev. Henry W.…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 30, 1864  The front page shows a group of officers making a toast, along with a poem concerning the third anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. Prints within include: "In The Fair" "Admiral Porter's Flotilla" "the Steam Ram 'Switzerland". Some articles include: "Sketches of the Red River Expedition" "The Massacre at Fort Pillow" "The War In Georgia" "The Spirit of the Campaign" "The Waste of War" "the Military Situation" and more.
Other prints…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 18, 1864  The front page is taken up with 3 prints: "Porter's Gunboats Passing the Dam in the Red River, Near Alexandria" and 2 scenes of: "Rebel Cruelty--Our Starved Soldiers" which has a related article on page 3 & an editorial: "Further Proofs of Rebel Inhumanity".
Other prints within include: "The Campaign in Georgia--Charge of Logan's Troops at the Battle of Resaca" "...Robinson's Brigade of Hooker's Corps Saving the Fifth Indiana Battery" "Geary's…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 16, 1864  The full front page is taken up with a print of the famous photo: "Lieutenant-General Grant at His Headquarters". Other prints within include: "The Naval Contest Off Cherbourg Between the 'Alabama' and the 'Kearsarge' " "General Sherman's Campaign--the Crest of Pine Mountain Where General  Polk Fell" "...Lost Mountain at Sunrise" "...View of Kenesaw From Pine Mountain" "Rebel Desertrers Coming Within the Union Lines" with a related article; "The…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, August 27, 1864  The full front page is a dramatic print: "General Grant's Campaign--Explosion at City Point". Full page prints inside include: "General Grant's Campaign--The Charge on Cemetery Ridge, After the Explosion" and "Quarters of the Union Officers Exposed to the Federal Fire in Charleston" and also: "General Sherman's Campaign--Battle of Ezra's Church (General Wood's Division)". Smaller prints include: "General Sherman's Campaign--Ezra's Church" "Dead…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 3, 1864  The full front page is taken up with a print: "Gen. Sherman's Campaign--Council of War Held at Gen. Wood's Headquarters".
Certainly the best print in this issue is also one of the more famous by Thomas Nast. This print (see) shows a triumphant Confederate soldier shaking hands with a peg-legged Union veteran as what appears to be Lady Liberty wept over a grave of Union heroes from a "Useless War".  Titled "Compromise With the South" the cartoon…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Sept. 24, 1864  The front page has prints of: "The Late Rebel General John Morgan" with a biography on him. Also: "Rebel Torpedo Boat" with a related article as well. Other prints within include: "General Grant's Campaign--In The Trenches Before Petersburg" "Plan of the Battle of August 5, 1864" "Fort Morgan Just After the Surrender" "Lighthouse at Fort Morgan" "The 'Brooklyn' Showing the Shots Received on Her Starboard Side During the Engagement of August 5, 1864"…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 1, 1864  The front page shows: "General Warren Extending & Fortifying His Lines Across the Weldon Railroad". Inside has a full page: "The Halt" by Thomas Nast; a full page: "General Sherman's Victory--Rebel Prisoners Being conducted to Atlanta From Jonesborough"; a half pg: "Destruction of Cars by General Hood Previous to the Evacuation of Atlanta"; a halfpg: "General Sherman's Army Destroying the Macon Railroad Between Rough & Ready and Jonesborough,…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 15, 1864  Most of the front page is taken up with a print: "General Hunt and Major Duane, Chief of Artillery & Chief engineer of the Army of the Potomac" with a related article. Other prints within include: "The Sixth Corps in Action on the Opequan" "Early's Army Falling Back Upon Winchester" "Major-General David B. Birney" "Major-General E.  O. C. Ord" "Major-General George Crook" "Major-General Torbert"; a nice full page: "Rebels Moving South From Atlanta"…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York Nov. 12, 1864  The front page contains a nice print captioned: "General Custer Presenting Captured Battle Flags at the War Department, Washington" showing him and many others holding flags.
Many other Civil War prints within, including a half pg: "Valley of the Shenandoah--Gen. Sheridan's Wagon Trains..." & a full page Thomas Nast cartoon: "How the Copperheads Obtain Their Votes" showing names being copied from tombstones. Another fullpg. has 2 scenes: "Army of the…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, Dec. 3, 1864  The front page has: 'The Rebel Flag of Truce Boat 'Beauregard' with Savannah in the Distance" & "The Rebel Flag of Truce Boats Coming down the Savannah River". Nice fullpg. prints include 2 scenes of: "Our Blockading Fleet Off Wilmington, N.C." and three views of: "In & Around Martinsburg, Virginia". A nearly halfpg: "Capture of the Blockade Runner 'Annie' " and a one-quarter pg: "Great Tunnel Under Pittsburg, Penna." Also a print of: "The Late Mr. John Leech".
…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 29, 1865

* The same issue (title and date) found in the time capsule under the (former) statue of Robert E. Lee on Dec. 28, 2021

The front page has a large and dramatic illustration of "J. Wilkes Booth" plus a lengthy article headed: 'The Murder Of The President' making this a nice display issue.
Inside articles are headed: "Abraham Lincoln" "President Johnson" "Mr. Seward" "Great Pan Is Dead" and "The Folly of Crime". A small illustration captioned: "Plan of the…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 20, 1865  The front page has an article: "The Assassination" and another "President Lincoln's Funeral" and also includes illustrations of: "Ruins of Garrett's Barn...Where Booth Was Shot: and "Garrett's House, Where Booth Died" and: "Harold's House, Near the Washington Navy-Yard".
Inside has a full page print: "President Lincoln's Funeral--Reception Of the Remains at Chicago, Illinois", and two half page prints: "President Lincoln's Funeral--Building Erected for…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 10, 1865  The full front page is a nice print of: "The Grand Review at Washington--General Meade & Staff Passing the Principal Stand" during a parade of returning Civil War soldiers. Another prime item is the doublepage centerfold by Thomas Nast, titled: "Victory And Death" showing six vignettes of the somber side of war.
Other prints within include a full page with 2 prints on: "Grand Review At Washington--Public School Children Greeting the Soldiers..." and:…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 24, 1865  The full front page is a nice print of: "Lieutenant-General Grant visiting General Scott at Cozzens's Hotel, West Point".
Among the nice prints within this issue is a full page of: "Sheridan and His Generals" with each labeled, perhaps the most notable being "Custer" some 11 years before his death at Little Big Horn. Also a full page captioned: "Johnnie Comes Marching Home", a half page: "Explosion of the United States Receiving Magazine at Mobile"…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 8, 1865  The full front page is a print: "Peace--Fourth of July, 1865" showing an angelic figure over returning soldiers. Prints within include a full page with 6 images concerning: "The Wreck of the 'Golden Rule' - Scenes Upon The Island El Roncador". Also: "Luther C. Ladd" "Addison O. Whitney" "Dedication of the Monument in Memory of Ladd & Whitney, Lowell, Massachusetts"; a full page of the: "Ruins In the Heart of Charleston--View from King Street"; half…