CONFEDERATE CIVIL WAR PRISONER CAMP LITHOGRAPH - LIBBY PRISON AUGUST 23, 1863 For Sale -

Rare, 1882, tinted, Stone Lithographed view of the infamous Confederate Civil War “Libby Prison” / “As it Appeared August 23, 1863”. It depicts the Prison with a group of tents in the foreground (we believe these were Hospital tents, guard quarters, etc) and numerous military guards and civilian "onlookers" on the grounds surrounding the Prison where hundreds of Union POW's were kept in what has been called "inhuman conditions".

Libby Prison, used only for Union officers, opened in 1861 and contained eight rooms, each 103 feet by 42 feet. Lack of sanitation and overcrowding caused the death of many prisoners between 1863 and 1864. Because of the high death toll, Libby Prison is generally regarded as second in notoriety only to Andersonville Prison in Georgia. More than 50,000 men passed thru this prison while it was used by the Confederacy and thousands died there.

This outstanding, original lithograph is printed on a medium weight, card stock and measures approx. 8 1/2” x 6 3/4” (plate size) and retains its full original margins (overall size of sheet is 13 3/4" x 11"). The printed title reads in full "Libby Prison / The Only Picture in Existence / As it Appeared August 23, 1863". The Image is copyright 1882 by J. L. Barlow whose offices were located at the Libby Prison Building, Richmond, Va. The View was lithographed by A. Hoen & Co of Richmond and published by Allen and Wm. A. Mountcastle (also of Richmond).

The reverse of the card has printed text including affidavits from former Confederate Officers and former prisoners at Libby attesting to the accuracy of the view. We know that Barlow sold these “engravings” at the Libby Prison Museum, managed by John Ransom during this time but it appears that he also licensed Allen and Mountcastle to sell the View mail order as a slug on the reverse reads "Price of Engraving, 50 cents, postpaid. / Address all communications to / Wm. A. Mountcastle, Sole Agent.... Richmond, VA".

This very rare and attractive, lithograph of Libby Prison is in very good condition. The image and legend areas are clean and crisp and very well preserved and the margins are also very clean. This is a strong and dark strike and the view is both attractive and very well preserved. The card does have some edge wear, some small corner chips and some creasing at the corners (affecting the blank margin areas only). There are also 4 edge tears - 3 which are very short (all less than 3/4") and one that measures 1" and enters the sheet near the center of the bottom edge. The largest edge tear also affects the blank margin area only but does approach the bottom edge of the last line of the legend. Please see the scans below for a good indication of the condition of this wonderful View.

This view came to us from the descendents of lt. Col. Lucius V. S. Mattison (mustered into service in December, 1861 as a private in Company D of the 81st Regiment, New York Infantry and served throughout the Civil War raising to the rank of Lieut. Colonel when mustered out in July of 1865) who was among the first to enter Richmond, Virginia after its fall. Mattison has been called the "liberator" of Castle Thunder and "was in charge of Castle Thunder and Libby Prison while in Richmond and was the first to release, without waiting for orders, between 300 and 400 union prisoners confined there” (from his obituary in “The National Tribune”, Washington, D.C. - April 27, 1911).

PLEASE ALSO NOTE: We have significantly cut back on our sales which begin November 11th and November 18th as will be leaving for 15 days (much needed) vacation on November 19th and we will be away when this sale closes on November 21th. We will have access to a computer and will notify winners in a timely manner but items will not be shipped until December 6th at the earliest - If this is a problem for you then PLEASE DO NOT offer ON ITEMS IN THIS WEEK'S sale. Thanks for your interest in our weekly sales and for your support over the past 12 years. We plan to continue to offer our usual selection of rare and interesting lots for sale on in the years to come!!

Overseasshippping is extra and cost will be quoted at buyers request. Massachusetts residents must add 5% sales tax. Insurance is required on all items selling for $400 or more and optional on items selling for under $400 (but highly recommended. If you do not want insurance please let us know.

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