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1875 Mardis Gras in Memphis illlustrations...
1875 Mardis Gras in Memphis illlustrations...
Item # 716847
February 13, 1875
Here is a double page centerfold engraving from the Feb. 13, 1875 issue of THE DAILY GRAPHIC from New York City. This centerfold contains 17 separate illustrations showing scenes from the Mardi Gras celebration in Memphis, Tennessee. This entire centerfold measures 29 x 21 inches, minor margin wear, nice condition.
background: The 1875 Mardi Gras celebration in Memphis, Tennessee, was a grand civic event modeled after the famed New Orleans festivities. It was part of a broader post-Civil War effort by Southern cities to rebuild their identities and boost local economies through public pageantry and tourism. Memphis organized elaborate parades, floats, and masquerade balls, attracting thousands of spectators. The Mystic Societies, including one called the Mystic Carnival, played a central role in the celebration. The event featured a symbolic "King of the Carnival" and drew on themes of mythology and history, aiming to showcase Memphis as a cultured and prosperous city. The 1875 Mardi Gras was one of the earliest and most ambitious of such events in Memphis, reflecting the city's desire to rival New Orleans in spectacle and sophistication.
Category: Post-Civil War
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