SEE PHOTO-----COMPLETE, ORIGINAL NEWSPAPER, the Harper's Weekly Illustrated Newspaper (NY) dated February 13, 1875, with compelling post Civil War Black history! The article also reports on the status of the newly appointed superintendent of public education, an African American who was a former slave.

Perfect for framing and display! 

Harper's Weekly (A Journal of Civilization) was a 16 page  illustrated newspaper based in New York City. It was published by Harper & Brothers from 1857 until 1916. It sometimes had long articles on the political intrigues and scandals of the day. Following the successful example of the Illustrated London News, Fletcher Harper began publishing Harper’s Monthly magazine in 1850. The publication was more intent on publishing established authors such as Dickens and Thackeray, but was a great enough success to begin publishing the Harper’s Weekly illustrated newspaper in 1857.

By 1860 the Weekly’s circulation had reached 200,000. Among its recurring features were the political cartoons of Thomas Nast who was recruited in 1862 and would remain with the Weekly for more than 20 years. Nast was a feared caricaturist, considered by some the father of American political cartooning. He was the originator of the use of animals to represent the political parties—the Democrat’s donkey and the Republican’s elephant—as well as the familiar character of Uncle Sam.

So as not to upset its wide readership in the South, Harper’s took a moderate editorial position on the issue of slavery. For this it was called by the more hawkish publications “Harper’s Weakly.” The Weekly supported the Stephen A. Douglas presidential campaign against Abraham Lincoln, but as the American Civil War broke out, Lincoln and the Union received full and loyal support of the publication. Arguably, some of the most important articles and illustrations came from the Weekly’s reporting on the war. It published many renderings in woodcut, by artists such as Alfred Waud, Winslow Homer, and Thomas Nast which are now important archives.

The newspaper usually contained 8 pages of text and 8 pages of gorgeous woodcut engravings, highly prized today for their  detailed illustrations of the American Civil War. The engravings are generally in 3 sizes: double page (DP - 21" X 16"), Full page (FP- 16" x 11") , and half page (HP- 10" x 8").

Very Good Condition. This listing includes the complete entire original newspaper. VINTAGE BOOKS AND FINE ART stands behind all of the items that we sell with a no questions asked, money back guarantee. Every item we sell is original printed on the date indicated at the beginning of its description, unless clearly stated as a reproduction in the header AND text body. U.S. buyers pay calculated priority postage which includes waterproof plastic and a heavy cardboard flat to protect your purchase from damage in the mail. International postage is quoted when we are informed as to where the package is to be sent. We do combine postage (to reduce postage costs) for multiple purchases sent in the same package. We accept payment by PAYPAL. We ship packages daily. This is truly a piece OF HISTORY that YOU CAN OWN!