BARNARD, George N. Photographic Views of Sherman's Campaign, embracing scenes of the occupation of Nashville, the great battle around Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain, the Campaign of Atlanta, March to the Sea and the Great Raid through the Carolinas. New York: Press of Wynkoop and Hallenbeck, 1866. First edition. Oblong Folio. Complete with sixty-one albumen prints (each approximately 10 x 13 inches) on original publisher's two-tone mounts, with printed captions and credits. Inscribed in ink: Philemon Tecumseh Sherman, 1886. Howes B-150; Sabin 3462.

"These photographs... surpass any other photographic views which have been produced in this country - whether relating to the war or otherwise" - Harper's Weekly, December 8, 1866

Photographer George N. Barnard’s monumental work documenting General William T. Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign, famous “March to the Sea,” and Carolinas Campaign. Primarily held by institutions, all intact copies of Barnard’s work are exceedingly rare. This example, however, is perhaps the most significant extant, as it was likely owned by General Sherman himself. Signed on the front free endpaper by General Sherman’s son and custodian of his library, Philemon T. Sherman, this copy is offered directly by General Sherman’s descendants. Their inherited library also included General Sherman’s family bible, his annotated copy of Ulysses S. Grant’s memoirs, and many other volumes of historic importance (all offered elsewhere in this catalog).

The album is a fine, complete copy (61 albumen photograph prints) of Barnard's photographic record documenting General Sherman's “total war” campaigns that inflicted strategic and psychological devastation to the south. Regarding the carnage he wrought, Sherman would later write “My aim, then, was to whip the rebels, to humble their pride, to follow them to their inmost recesses, and make them fear and dread us” (Sherman’s Memoirs, vol. II, pg. 249). General Sherman’s capture of the city of Atlanta is widely credited as securing Abraham Lincoln’s reelection in 1864. Lincoln’s victory ensured the war would continue, resulting in eventual Union victory and the universal emancipation of enslaved African Americans. The album includes haunting images of battlefields, stunning landscape views, public and private buildings, railroads, various encampments, military scenes, and the general destruction caused by Sherman’s army.

An early daguerreotypist and colleague of Matthew Brady, George N. Barnard (1819-1902) was the only photographer to accompany General Sherman during his famous “March to the Sea.” As the official photographer of the Military Division of the Mississippi, Barnard operated under the command of General Sherman

With a cost of $100 at the time of its publication in 1866, one source notes only 100 to 150 copies were produced, and that many were sold to European collectors.

Less than ~10 examples have sold publicly over the last 30 years, the most recent copy brought $149,000 during Christies’ 19 June 2014 “Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts including Americana” sale.


PROVENANCE:

The Sherman-Fitch Library

Primarily assembled by General William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891), the collection of books was inherited and curated by his son, Philemon Tecumseh Sherman (1867-1941). Before his death, Philemon transferred the library to his niece, Eleanor Sherman Fitch (1876-1959). Eleanor was the granddaughter of General Sherman through his eldest daughter, Maria "Minnie" Ewing Sherman Fitch (1851-1913). Until now, the Sherman-Fitch library was held at the family estate in Washington County, Pennsylvania.

The library includes a range of diverse material owned by General Sherman that principally relates to the Civil War, American history, and the Sherman family. Many works in the Sherman-Fitch library are historically significant, including General Sherman's annotated copy of Ulysses S. Grant's memoirs, the Sherman family bible, and Barnard's "Photographic Views of Sherman's Campaign."

Most examples in the collection are affixed with bookplates that bear both General Sherman's and Philemon's names. In some cases, where General Sherman's ownership was clear, his bookplate was not always affixed. However, books with just Philemon's bookplate were generally acquired after his father's death in 1891. General Sherman’s bookplates were likely added by Philemon after his father’s death. Philemon’s bookplates were placed by Tecumseh Sherman Fitch (1908-1969), after he inherited the library in 1942.


[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Generals, Historic Photography, Albumens, Albums]