The Confederate Soldier in the Civil War: 1861-1865 LaBree, Ben (editor)

OUTSTANDING AND EXTREMELY RARE COLLECTION of first two-thirds (20 of 31 issues) of the issues of "The People's Pictorial Edition of the Confederate Soldier in the Civil War: 1861-1865"; issues 1-20 + two extra No. 1 and No. 2; in blue wraps; extensively illustrated. This was published by the Courier-Journal in Louisville, Kentucky and sold by subscription only - starting with No. 1, dated March 29, 1897. The book, "The Confederate Soldier in the Civil War: 1861-1865," was published the same year by the Courier-Jounal and while scarce, can be found - usually at a premium price. "The People's Pictorial Edition" uses the same content but was offered by subscription in a series issued weekly. The folio (12 X 17 inches) and contents are the same as the book with each issue wrapped in semi-stiff wraps and including the color illustrations and even the tissue guard between the frontispiece and title page! The contents are on high quality paper with four-color printing; suspect it is the same as the book and the publisher simply ran overruns to supply this subscription series. The pagination followes the book. Edited by Ben LaBree, then editor of the Confederate War Journal, with individual articles usually written by various officers of the Confederacy who were at the battles described. The introduction, for example, is written by Major General Fitzhugh Lee. As stated above, included in the collection are issues No.1 - No. 20 + additional copies of No. 1 and No. 2. Condition of the following issues is Good or better with all being complete with the cover intact: Issues No. 1-2 and issues No. 4=16. Condition of issues No. 3 and Issues No. 17-20 are fair with the covers detached and sometimes torn (on two of them) but all content appears to be there and in good or better condition. The extra No. 1 is only Fair as the cover is detached but the color frontispiece (see photo) is fine and would be suitable for framing. The extra issue No. 2 is Very Good with some chipping to the cover. The covers are typically faded from the original blue on all issues. Also, it should be noted the covers were designed to overlap the text slightly which protected the contents from being chipped at the edges. Being paper, published over 125 years ago, makes this collection extremely rare. A great addition to any Civil War collection! We've only been able to find a few sporadic sales - typically of individual issues over the last 10 years. Highly collectible which provide execellant research and are invaluable research tools.