Lot 617: Allen Redwood Civil War illustration, "Defense of New Orleans"

Allen Carter Christian Redwood (American/North Carolina/California, 1844-1922), "An Incident in the Defense of New Orleans," Pen and ink on paper drawing with gouache highlights, depicting soldiers laying in wait along a river bank as a Naval gunboat approaches. Signed ACR lower right above the initials EJM. Illustrated, plate 79, The American Heritage Century Collection of Civil War Art, ed. Stephen Sears, 1974. Matted and housed under plexiglass in a later gilt molded frame. Sight: 13 1/2"H x 11"W. Framed: 21 7/8" H x 24 1/4W. Biography: "Born in the South [Virginia], Allen Redwood became one of the few sketch artists of the Civil War who actually fought in military battles, and his documentation was of noted historical value to the Southern side of the War. He was in the 55th Regiment of the Army of Northern Virginia, and wrote about and sketched Civil War scenes. He was captured at the Second Battle of Bull Run and was later exchanged and made a Major in rank. In 1882, he traveled West through Idaho to Washington state. By the 1890s, he was a western illustrator for Harper's, Century and other magazines, and traveled widely in the West.In 1898, Harper's magazine personnel sent him to Cuba to cover the Spanish American War." Sources: Walt Reed, "The Illustrator in America"; Edan Hughes, "Artists in California, 1786-1940."

PROVENANCE: Private Virginia Collection.

CONDITION: Handling wear and scattered creasing including two deep creases upper left. 2 3/4" area of repaired tearing in upper right corner. Scattered foxing and light toning.