Extremely scarce Civil War era lithograph depicting the Female Seminary at Nashville, Tennessee, as it appeared in March of 1862 after being converted to the Barracks of the 51st Regt. O.V. under the command of Union Provost Marshall Col Stanley Matthews. The print was published during the Union Army's occupation of the city, by Middleton, Strobridge, & Co., after a sketch by A.E. Matthews of the 31st Regt. O.V., USA. It includes a quote in the lower margin attributed to the school's principal C.D. Elliot, apparently excerpted from the school's own printed materials, referring to the school's highly political stance: " As Teachers we employ, in the School Books we use, in the principals we teach, in the prayers we utter, in the tears we shed in the hour of defeat, in the songs we sing in the times of victory, – in the use of these means and all others at our command we hope to inspire all our pupils not only with proper sympathy for their own country but also with a strong antipathy to the North. We hope thus to render them fit to become the companions of the brave boys who now stand in battle array against Fanaticism and Infidelity all along our our Northern border." Mounted under glass with a cream silk mat and silver and blue reveal, in a stained wood frame with gilt molded rabbet edge. Sight – 12"H x 15"W. Frame – 22"H x 24 1/2"W.

PROVENANCE: The collection of William and Danya Downey, Nashville, TN, purchased The Old Print Shop, New York, 1989. The original receipt is available to the winning bidder.

CONDITION: Overall very good condition with minimal fading, some discoloration in the lower right image and margin, and two spots of paper skinning lower right corner, 3/4" and 1-1/2"L. Some very light toning and foxing. Some dings and abrasions to frame. Not examined out of frame.