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Confederate Wallpaper Newspaper A fabulous, two-p

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Other Start Price:950.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Confederate Wallpaper Newspaper A fabulous, two-p
<B>Confederate Wallpaper Newspaper</B></I> A fabulous, two-page broadsheet newspaper printed on wallpaper from New Iberia, Louisiana. Each of the two pages, attached at center fold, measures 11 1/4" x 18", with the patterned design elements on verso. Dated September 12, 1863, this edition of <I>The Confederate States</B></I> includes articles on tightening the rules for conscription and substitution, lists of orders issued by the Confederate Army, and several patriotic pieces. Like many Southern newspapers of the day, it also contains a reward notice offering $200 for the capture/return of a runaway slave, "Baptiste, aged about 30 years, very black, and has rather a dejected look..." There are also the typical letters to the editor, announcements, ads and so forth. A delicate blue and yellow pattern adorns the wallpaper side. The scarcity of paper normally used in news presses forced rather creative newspaper editors to use other stocks if they wanted to publish. Most of the known Civil War wallpaper editions were published in Louisiana for several reasons, including the fact that Louisiana had most of the wallpaper factories and New Orleans was the destination for decorative papers from France. When wallpaper was not available, publishers also used brown wrapping paper, ledger paper and even tissue paper. The most famous, and later facsimiled, wallpaper newspaper was printed in Vicksburg. During the siege by Grant, the town was cut off and the paper had to resort to wallpaper six times in the weeks before the surrender. Editions of <I>The Confederate States</B></I> are considered quite rare and seldom trade hands. Most known editions remain in institutional collections. This example is in wonderful condition, almost completely void of typical foxing, very minor loss at top and bottom of fold, the design siege remain vibrant. A truly superior specimen. Lot:251