Harper’s Weekly November 21, 1863 – Winslow Homer Russian Ball Centerfold For Sale

Harper’s Weekly November 21, 1863 – Winslow Homer Russian Ball Centerfold & Thomas Nast Guerrilla Original Civil War–era issue of Harper’s Weekly, published November 21, 1863, combining some of the finest artwork of the war years with stark depictions of guerrilla warfare and internal conflict.
This is an exceptionally visual and desirable issue, featuring two major works by Winslow Homer, including a dramatic double-page centerfold, alongside powerful wartime illustrations by Thomas Nast.



Highlights of This Issue
🎨 Winslow Homer – Major Features (Highly Collectible)
Full front-page illustration:
“The Russian Ball — In the Supper Room”
Large double-page centerfold:
“The Great Russian Ball at the Academy of Music, November 5, 1863”
These Homer illustrations document a lavish diplomatic event held in New York to honor Russian naval officers, celebrating Russian support for the Union. The centerfold is bold, crowded, and extremely displayable, and ranks among Homer’s most impressive social scenes.
⚔️ Thomas Nast – Guerrilla Warfare
Full-page illustration:
“Trapping Rebel Guerrillas in the West”
Another full-page illustration:
“The War in the Southwest — Guerrillas Hunting Union Men with Blood Hounds”
These Nast images offer a grim and unfiltered view of irregular warfare, showing the darker realities of the Civil War beyond major battlefields.
🏔️ War in East Tennessee
Full-page illustration:
“The War in East Tennessee — Drawing Artillery Through the Mountains”
A dramatic scene highlighting the logistical challenges of moving heavy guns through rugged terrain
🩺 Military Leadership & News
Portrait: Dr. William A. Hammond, Surgeon General, United States Army
Illustration: Terrible Accident at the Rush Street Bridge, Chicago
🗞️ Back Page Political Cartoon
A period political cartoon reflecting wartime sentiment and public debate
Condition
📌 Complete in 16 pages
📸 I photograph every page, so please review all images carefully and ask questions before purchasing.
Original 1863 issue
Typical age-related toning and minor edge wear
Strong impressions throughout, especially the Homer prints
No facsimiles or trimmed pages
Why This Issue Is Especially Desirable
⭐ Two major Winslow Homer illustrations, including a large centerfold
⭐ Powerful Thomas Nast guerrilla warfare scenes
⭐ Rare depiction of Russian–American wartime diplomacy
⭐ Excellent balance of elegance, violence, and Civil War reality
⭐ Highly displayable and historically rich
This is a top-tier Harper’s Weekly appealing to collectors of Winslow Homer, Thomas Nast, Civil War art, and 19th-century social history.



Framing & Display
🖼️ Optional archival framing available
Acid-free matting
UV-protective acrylic (not glass)
Clean, museum-style presentation
Ideal for:
Libraries and studies
Art-focused Civil War collections
Gallery or office display


Shipping
📦 Ships flat (never rolled)
📦 Carefully protected for transit
📦 Tracking included


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