The Soldier in Our Civil War – Paul Mottelay – 1884 | First Edition, Illustrated Two-Volume

The Soldier in our Civil War is one of the leading sources on the American Civil War, particularly those that are illustrated. This 1884 first edition, edited by Paul Mottelay, features hundreds of articles and essays which are supplemented by illustrations, portraits, and photographs depicting the Union and Confederate soldiers – showing his life, military surroundings, and his work as a soldier.

This impressive two-volume set features the art and sketches of artists such as Forbes, Ward, Beard, Becker, Lovie, Schell, and many other first-hand witnesses to the details of the war.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Soldier in Our Civil War: A Pictorial History of the Conflict, 1861–1865
• Author(s): Paul Mottelay
• Illustrator(s): Forbes; Ward; Beard; Becker; Lovie; Schell
• Publisher: New York, The J.H. Brown
• Edition: 1884. First Edition
• Format: Folio, two volumes
• Size:  17 in x 12.25 in (43 cm x 31 cm)
• Collation:
  • Vol. I: 421, [1];
  • Vol. II: [2], 473, [9]
• Illustrations: Numerous engraved plates, portraits, and maps
• Contents Include:
  • Contemporary wartime essays and reports
  • Portraits of Union and Confederate officers
  • Illustrated maps of battle engagements
  • Scenes from military life and field camps

Condition:

Very Good. Original cloth boards with gilt titling, edges and corners show moderate rubbing, text blocks remain tight and secure, plates and pages with light age toning. Some prelims show wear and loss.

Why Collect This?

• Large-format 19th-century Civil War history
• Illustrated throughout by prominent war artists
• Important visual source for 19th-century military history

Item Number: # 29167