This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/18/2024
[CIVIL WAR]. Advertising Circular for “The Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon of Philadelphia” and the “Rebel Ram ‘Atlanta.’” [Philadelphia: Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, ca. 1863]. 8 8vo pages on one uncut folio sheet. With three engraved illustrations: “The Gatling Gun or Battery”, “Diagram of the Rebel Ram ‘Atlanta’ Now on Exhibition, Foot of Washington Street…”, “The Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, Philadelphia.” Pages approximately 240 x 149 mm; sheet approximately 480 x 298 mm. Sheet creased, toned, soiled, with some minor tears, one piece of tape at the upper margin of p. [6]. This scarce (we could only locate one other copy, at The Navy Department Library) circular advertises the display of the captured Confederate vessel, “Atlanta,” which not only includes the afore-mentioned diagram, but four pages of background of the vessel and how it was captured (“History of the Rebel Ram “Atlanta,” No on Exhibition at Foot of Washington Street, for the benefit of the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon.”) The illustration of R. J. Gatling’s famous gun may well be one of the earliest illustrated advertisements (it was patented by Gatling the year before). The Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon in Philadelphia was located at the hub of railroads linking the North with the South; it was staffed by volunteers, who provided relief for Union soldiers leaving or returning from battle. They gave services to an estimated total of about 800,000 soldiers, providing food, temporary shelter, laundry services, and medical attention.