Antique Print Description

This is an original engraved print by the American artist Winslow Homer. The caption reads,"Christmas Boxes in Camp - Christmas, 1861" and is signed in the plate in the lower left corner. Homer's illustration was the cover illustration for the January 4, 1862 Harper's Weekly Newspaper. It measures 9" x 11" (full page measures 11" x 16") with ample margins for framing. The print is in Very Good condition with the paper structurally sound and flexible.

"This 1862 Winslow Homer illustration depicts the mirth and merriment soldiers experienced when they received boxes from home during Christmas. Parcels sent from home containing all manner of Christmas treats were highly sought after by soldiers in blue and gray. One Confederate recounted the pleasure a box from home elicited for those lucky enough to receive them – “The Christmas of 1862 was cheerless indeed; the weather was frightful, and a heavy snowstorm covered everything a foot deep. Each soldier attempted to get a dinner in honor of the day, and those to whom boxes had been sent succeeded to a most respectable degree, but those unfortunates whose homes were outside the line had nothing whatever delectable partaking of the nature of Christmas. We read in the Richmond papers of the thousands and thousands of boxes that had been passed in route to the army sent by the ladies of Richmond and other cities, but few found their way to us. The greater part of them were for the troops from the far South who were too distant from their homes to receive anything from their own families.”

Likewise, a Union soldier from New Jersey commented, “On Christmas day, Co. H of our Reg. were well supplied with good things as their friends had sent them out about 18 boxes containing plenty of poultry and various other good things, making mouths of the less fortunate companys water. As I received a box my self about this time it did not affect me quite so bad as some of the rest.” "Vicksburg, Celebrating Peace During War;" National Park Service. You may be interested in our other listings on eBay.

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.
Can I return an item I purchase?
All purchases come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.