1890s RARE CIVIL WAR Memorial Discharge Litho GRAND ARMY REPUBLIC -GLEASON- Ohio

Description

Extraordinary Find-- 1890s RARE CIVIL WAR Memorial Discharge Lithograph Super Huge Document from the GRAND ARMY REPUBLIC -Full History -handwritten -for Dighton Gleason, Chagrin Falls, Ohio 1862 Enlisted -Discharged 1865 at end of War........civilwarlitho
This item has a 5 day Shipping/Handling time to allow for extra care in packaging. When possible, it will ship earlier.
Approx. 33.25" x 24". Huge lithographed "document" (Lithograph with two tint tones, started production in 1890-1891) giving the Military History of Dighton Gleason, and presented to his wife in 1896. These were sold by the GAR (Grand Army Republic) to raise funds to build the monument on the front of the document. It never got built, and the money was unaccounted for-(SEE STORY BELOW). The handwritten account details his Company/Regiment, all the battles he was in (dates and places) , his injuries (first a lung infection -then in battle- a "mini ball" in his right side) . Gives his Commanding Officer's names, and is a great historical fact sheet from the Civil War. These are VERY RARE!!! This item has age wear, and the edges are a bit rough (see photos) -the "Paper" feels like an Oilcloth texture. There are creases, and age wear to this item. Heavy age darkening and age wear. NO glass or frame.
PLEASE READ ALL THE INFO AND SEE ALL THE PHOTOS. The image is an example of an “Easel Monument Souvenir,” created in the late 1890s to raise funds for a national “Triangular Easel Monument” to be “temporarily constructed in October, 1898, at Bridgeport, Conn.” The monument was designed by J. W. Carnahan and used sculpture and carved pictures to depict the Civil War. Money was raised by selling prints of the monument with personalized information about the purchaser inserted. Buyers were told that, when sufficient funds were raised, all from the sale of these souvenirs, the monument would be placed in “which ever State in the Union the greatest percentage of Easel Monument Souvenir sales is made as compared with its Grand Army membership.” The statue was never erected and the funds never sufficiently accounted for. Over time, the project was reported as a scam, but that has never been confirmed.--From 1866 to 1873, the GAR was primarily a political organization. Although the founders abolished all political discussion, GAR members clearly became a political force. The GAR aligned itself with a Republican political ideology. Members favored the Republican's harsher reconstruction policies and appreciated the pensions the Republican's believed should be used to repay the "debt of gratitude" the country owed its veterans. In fact, membership in the GAR was almost a prerequisite to running for many public offices. For a time, it was impossible to be nominated on the Republican ticket without a GAR endorsement. Five GAR members were elected President of the United States and it was often said the Grand Army of the Republic controlled every office in the northern states from "dog catcher to President.".....In the late 1880s and early 1890s, the GAR raised funds for an Easel-Shaped Monument. The monument was designed by J. W. Carnahan and used sculpture and carved pictures to depict the Civil War. Money was raised by selling prints of the monument with personalized information about the purchaser inserted. The location of the monument was to be in the city or state where the most prints were purchased. “The monument was never built. The money raised disappeared after a period of time. Some of the salesman of J. Worth Carnahan’s Easel Monument project were misrepresenting themselves as pension agents. As a result they were charged and convicted; however, Mr. Carnahan was not. The money was never located. All that remains are these rare Lithographs.
CONDITION:
Ultra, ultra RARE. Feels a little bit like Oilcloth. Many creases, fragile due to age.Writing is legible, not hard to read. Is probably sun faded from time of origin, but still has good graphics and no stains, tears. There is a lot of creasing and the corners are bumped, creased and worn. Heavy age wear. NO GLASS, NO FRAME. **The precise color of the items may vary depending on the specific monitor, the settings and the lighting conditions. The item's color as depicted in this listing should only be used as a guide, as your monitor may show the colors differently. Vintage items are not perfect.