Civil War 31st Regiment New York Volunteers Welcome Released Union Prisoners

Description

Antique Print Description
This is a historic full page illustration of the
"Released Prisoners Returning to the Camp of the Thirty-First Regiment New York Volunteers (Franklin's Division), From Richmond, Virginia."
It was published in Harper's Weekly. New York, February 1, 1862. This genuine wood-cut engraving measures 9" x 13 3/4" with ample margins for framing. It is in very good condition with mild age toning. The descriptive text is below. You may be interested in
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From the Harper's Weekly..."RETURNED PRISONERS FROM RICHMOND"
"This is an illustration of the reception of some Federal prisoners (who had been released by the rebels) in the camp of their division at Washington. The Herald correspondent said :
The returned Bull Run prisoners belonging to the New York 1st regiment, numbering thirty-two, visited their regiment, which is attached to General Franklin's division, and met with a cordial reception from their officers and companions in arms. The poor fellows are staying in quarters here, and have not yet received their pay or a furlough, and were invited to visit their comrades and partake of a bountiful feast. The scene was a touching one, as the men who have languished five months in the rebel prison grasped the hands of their more fortunate fellow-soldiers, and were welcomed home.  Many of the officers of the division were present, and in the speeches made on the happy occasion allusions were made in a feeling manner to the sufferings of those who endured captivity, and to the memory of those of the regiment who died in their country's cause. The comfort of the returned prisoners will be amply provided for in the camp."
Frequently Asked Questions
Are those odd lines on the image a defect in the print?
Antique prints often have faint vertical or horizontal lines visible. Rather than a defect, they are a fascinating historical artifact of the popular engraving process employed by newspapers at the time of the Civil War? During the war, newspaper publishers needed a method where they could get the illustrations produced by newspaper artists in the battlefield to the American public as quickly as possible.
To do this, the illustration was divided into sections usually two inches square. Double page prints were divided into as many as 40 sections. The section was traced onto a wood block. Engravers cut into the wood with various tools creating a mirror image of their section of the illustration. The blocks were then screwed together, recreating the original illustration. This would then be inked and stamped onto the newsprint. The lines on the image above are a result of where the blocks of wood were joined together.
Will my antique print deteriorate?
Before 1870, newspapers were not made from wood pulp as they are today. Instead, they were printed on a sturdy paper made by pulping linen rags. These rags came from clothing and ship sails. Because this kind of paper contains very little acid, your antique print could easily retain its appearance for many years into the future, if handled properly.
Why do people purchase antique prints and maps?
Antique prints and maps portray a moment in history. Because they represent a broad range of subjects, they are particularly useful when looking for a unique gift. Interior design has become a huge market for antique prints. From small framed botanicals to large Civil War maps, from large framed old city views to a collection of framed Harper's satirical cartoons, antique prints provide a world of design possibility. If properly framed, antique prints and maps can be preserved for many decades.
Is this item really authentic or just a reproduction?
You can have confidence that the item you purchase is guaranteed to be an original and not a modern day reproduction of any kind.
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