Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War

This is a large-format, folio-sized volume of 'Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War,' originally published by Harper & Brothers around 1866-1868. The book features a pebble-textured cloth binding in a deep maroon or burgundy color. The front cover is elaborately decorated with blind-stamped borders featuring triple-line rules and floral corner accents. Centered on the front board is the title in stylized, ornate gold-gilt calligraphy with decorative flourishes. The construction utilizes heavy cardboard binders' board. Regarding condition, the volume shows significant wear consistent with its age (late 19th century). The most notable damage is a severely compromised spine or 'shaken' binding, where the outer cloth is fraying and detached along the left edge, exposing the layered board and structural fibers beneath. There is light surface scuffing on the cover faces, minor foxing/discoloration in the upper-left quadrant, and edge wear along the perimeters. This work is known for its high-quality wood engravings and detailed journalistic maps, representing a significant primary-source-style compilation of historical documentation from the American Civil War period. Despite the external structural issues, the gilt lettering remains largely bright and legible.