Sketches from the Civil War in North America, 1861, '62, '63
By: by V. Blada.
Contributors: Alfred Whital Stern Collection of Lincolniana (Library of Congress)
Publisher: [The author]
Published: 1863
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 30
Subjects: Prints, American -- 19th century.; United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Pictorial works.; Confederate States of America -- History -- Pictorial works.; United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Art and the war.
Genres: Pictorial works.
Notes: A series planned to include more than 45 sketches, as indicated by the numbering of the 30 actually published and the list of sketches in preparation. Only 2 installments appeared, the first being 10 etchings in a paper wrapper with title information stating that it is the "first issue"; the second being 20 etchings, with title information on a smaller sheet stating that the installment comprises the "second and third issues" and that "in consequence of the great depreciation in currency, and consequent high rate of exchange, [the author] finds that the present rate of subscription will barely cover cost of materials required for completing this undertaking, leaving nothing to repay the time and labor bestowed upon the work."
It is uncertain whether London is the true place of publication, though the mention of exchange rate on the title leaf of the 2nd installment would suggest so, or whether its use, like Volck's use of a pseudonym, was intended to protect that Baltimore supporter of the Southern cause from arrest for sedition.
The etchings were begun in 1861. Sets of India paper proofs of 29 of the plates were issued under title: Confederate war etchings (NUC pre-1956 NV0221627).
The sketches are reproduced (with slight variation of caption) in: The work of Adalbert Johann Volck, 1828-1912, who chose for his name the anagram V. Blada ... (Baltimore, 1970) on p. 16-[71], 84-[85], except that the set omits the sketch on p. 52-[53] and includes (with title "The fight at Santa Rosa Island") the sketch shown on p. 72-[73] as unfinished, untitled. The title sheet of the 2nd installment is reproduced on p. [15].
Source: Purchase (Stern Fund), 1990.