1895 History of the Civil War Frank Leslie First Edition Folio Rev Eschmann For Sale

1895 History of the Civil War Frank Leslie First Edition Folio Rev Eschmann

This 130+ year old book has some wear to cover small piece missing on book’s facing which is pictured. It has had a couple of engravings cut out on pages 281-284 & 475-476 which is pictured. It has marbleized end pages and border. The interior pages are clean as seen in pictures.

I took pictures of list of engravings. This specific 1895 volume contains approximately 740 period wood engravings and illustrations spread across its 512 pages.

This book is a first edition copy of Frank Leslie's Illustrated History of the Civil War, an iconic folio-sized pictorial history compiled by Louis Shepheard Moat and published by Mrs. Frank Leslie in New York in 1895.

Key Historical DetailsOrigins: The book compiles hundreds of high-quality wood engravings originally created during the war (1861–1865) by Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper combat artists. These sketch artists, including notable figures like William Waud and Edwin Forbes, documented events directly from the battlefields.

Content: Beyond the large-scale single and double-page battle scenes, it includes military and political portraits, detailed naval engagement illustrations, maps, and official statistical data derived directly from national war records.

Description & Material SpecsBinding: Bound in a heavy maroon/burgundy cloth-covered board.

Cover Art: Stamped with distinctive gilt (gold leaf) lettering accompanied by an embossed sword and scabbard entwined with a banner.

Dimensions: Known as an "Elephant Folio," this massive coffee-table style book measures 11.75" x 16.25" 512 pages.

This hand-stamped ink impression belongs to Charles J. Eschmann, a notable 19th-century Roman Catholic priest and historian based in Southern Illinois.The stamp serves as a provenance mark, proving that this specific copy was once part of his personal library. The "PAID" stamp dated October 2, 1897, likely indicates the exact day he finished paying for or officially acquired this book.

Local Pioneer Pastor: He served as a long-time pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cairo, Illinois, where he was personally responsible for constructing their beautiful historic church edifice.

Historical Scholar: He later became the pastor of the historic church at Prairie du Rocher, Illinois—one of the oldest continually active parishes in the entire Midwest.

Unique Provenance & Historical Marking

This specific copy boasts an exceptional, documented provenance. The title page bears the original, hand-stamped ink impression of **Reverend Charles J. Eschmann**, dated **October 2, 1897**.

Rev. Eschmann was a prominent 19th-century Roman Catholic priest, pioneer pastor, and a dedicated board member of the **Illinois State Historical Society**. Known for his work translating early French colonial records to preserve Midwest history, his library mark transforms this volume from a standard historical text into a unique artifact of 19th-century American scholarship. The "PAID" designation securely dates his acquisition of this massive folio to within just two years of its original printing.

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