The Paintings of Mort Künstler: Gettysburg (First Edition)

This is a first edition hardcover book titled 'The Paintings of Mort Künstler: Gettysburg', featuring text by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian James M. McPherson. Published in 1993 by Turner Publishing, Inc. in Atlanta, the book serves as a premiere collection of Civil War art. The front cover showcases a vibrant, full-color reproduction of a Künstler painting depicting an artillery crew in action during the Battle of Gettysburg, characterized by atmospheric lighting and meticulous historical detail. The dust jacket or cover art features an oval title plate in yellow with black serif typography. Physically, the book is a coffee-table style volume, likely constructed with high-quality semi-gloss paper to properly display the color plates. Notable features include maps by Derek Grinnell and a dedication 'For Deborah'. As a 1990s publication, the craftsmanship reflects the high production standards of Turner Publishing during that era. The condition appears to be well-preserved based on the visual, with sharp edges on the cover art and no significant fading to the pigments. This edition is highly regarded by both military history enthusiasts and art collectors for its combination of scholarly text and realistic illustrative style.

I have examined the provided images and descriptions for the 1993 first edition of 'The Paintings of Mort Künstler: Gettysburg.' This volume represents a significant collaboration between a premier Civil War artist and a Pulitzer-winning historian. Based on the visual evidence, the book appears to be in very good condition with a crisp dust jacket and minimal shelf wear. Authentic first edition markers, such as the ISBN 1-878685-79-1 and the Turner Publishing imprint, are consistent with known copies. The market for Civil War art books remains steady, though supply for this specific trade edition is relatively high. Comparables on the secondary market consistently sell within the $30 to $70 range depending on condition. The value is driven primarily by the high-quality color plates rather than extreme rarity. The primary factor that would increase this value would be a signature by either Künstler or McPherson. Limitations: While the book appears authentic from photographs, a physical inspection is required to confirm the integrity of the binding, check for foxing or hidden water damage, and verify the absence of library stamps or odors. Provenance documentation or a sales receipt from the original 1993 purchase would strengthen the record of ownership. No scientific testing is required, but an in-person page count ensures no color plates have been removed, which is a common issue with older art books.