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Gettysburg: Alexander Gardner

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:10,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
Gettysburg: Alexander Gardner

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Auction Date:2013 Jul 25 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Magnificent collection of five original photographs with accompanying descriptive pages from Gardner's Photographic Sketch Book of the War. Highlighting the collection is ‘Home of a Rebel Sharpshooter, Gettysburg. No. 41,’ one of the most iconic images from the battle and the war, depicting a fallen Confederate soldier and his rifle behind a rocky outcropping in Devil’s Den, which is said to have been taken on July 4, 1863. The other Gettysburg photo included is ‘Interior of Breastworks on Round Top, Gettysburg. No. 38,’ showing the temporary fortifications occupied by the Union’s Fifth and Sixth Corps while defending Little Round Top—a key strategic location—during the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Third is the photo entitled ‘Quarters of Men in Fort Sedgwick, Generally known as Fort Hell. No. 83,’ showing a section of the Union’s bombproof fort in Petersburg, christened ‘Fort Hell’ as it constantly drew Confederate artillery fire due to its location as one of the Union’s most advanced strategic positions along the siege line. Following this is ‘Mathews House, Battle-Field of Bull Run. No. 8,’ depicting the damaged house overlooking the hill that was the scene of the most desperate fighting during the First Battle of Bull Run; this photo is on the scarcer ‘Incidents of the War’ mount, as each photo appeared in the earliest version of Gardner's Sketchbook. The final photo is ‘Fairfax Court-House. No. 3,’ which was the site of the first land battle between Union and Confederate forces after the surrender of Fort Sumter. All five are identically cloth-matted and framed in burled walnut to an overall size of 24.5 x 30.5: each 8.75 x 6.75 photo is affixed to its original mount, which is matted to 9.5 x 8.75; below, the original text page from the Sketchbook describing the image is matted to 14 x 8.75. In overall fine condition.

Gardner published his Sketch Book immediately following the Civil War in 1866, documenting the entirety of the conflict and describing the photographs held within as 'mementoes of the fearful struggle.' Since then, it has become one of the most famous and sought after American photography books ever created—the complete two-volume set fetches nearly $200,000—and Gardner's photographs the most iconic of the war. Originally available by subscription only, the book, which consisted of two volumes containing fifty photos each, was intended to be limited to 200 copies; however, it seems that Gardner produced closer to 125. Following only Lincoln at Antietam as the most desirable of the set is 'Home of a Rebel Sharpshooter,' included here. Perhaps Gardner's most notorious, well-known, and historically interesting photo, recent scrutiny has revealed that the photo was staged—it is thought that Gardner arranged the dramatic scene by moving the body to the 'sharpshooter's den' and placing his own 'prop' rifle in the niche. The other four photos in this lot are also among the most sought after, particularly those of Little Round Top and Fort Hell. All beautifully framed with their original descriptive pages, this is an indisputably spectacular set deserving of prominent display.