Civil War Pictorial Envelope

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Civil War Pictorial Envelope, Ms2008-088, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Magnus, Charles
Abstract:
The collection contains an American Civil War period envelope with lithograph of Union soldiers on horseback fending off Confederate soldiers on foot. It was published by Charles Magnus of New York.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Civil War Pictorial Envelope, Ms2008-088, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The Civil War Pictorial Envelope is an American Civil War-era paper envelope with a hand-painted lithograph on one side depicting Union soldiers on horseback fending off Confederate soldiers on foot. Drawn swords and muskets appear in the illustration. The envelope was published by Charles Magnus of New York and has his name and the location of his business on the bottom left corner.

Biographical / historical:

Charles Magnus was born in 1826 and emigrated from Elberfeld, Germany to the United States around 1848. Magnus worked in New York from 1850 to 1899 as a publisher, artist, and map dealer, among other print-related occupations. He utilized lithography and hand-coloring in his work. During the American Civil War, he published approximately 700 pictorial envelopes. Civil War envelopes began appearing before the war due to increasing sectional tensions and were published until shortly before the cessation of hostilities. Commonly depicted scenes on Magnus's envelopes include battlefields, American eagles, and the star-spangled banner. Charles Magnus died in 1900.

External source: Charles Magnus Collection, Col. 123, The Winterthur Library, Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Winterthur, Deleware, http://library.winterthur.org:8001/lib/item?id=chamo:26699.

Acquisition information:
The Civil War Pictorial Envelope was purchased by Special Collections in 1991.
Processing information:

The processing and description of the Civil War Pictorial Envelope commenced and was completed in November 2008.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard