Harper’s Weekly April 23 1887 – Prairie Letter-Box, Denver Centerfold, Remington For Sale

This is an original, complete April 23, 1887 issue of Harper’s Weekly — one of the most desirable issues of the late 1880s, packed with Western Americana, frontier drama, early Denver views, and firsthand commentary on Walt Whitman.The cover is dominated by R. F. Zogbaum’s iconic full-page engraving “The Prairie Letter-Box”, showing a cowboy posting mail from horseback across a sweeping Western landscape. A perfect piece for framing and a beautiful example of Gilded Age illustration.
---⭐ Highlights of This Issue📍 “The Prairie Letter-Box” (Front Page)A full-page frontier scene drawn by R. F. Zogbaum. One of the most atmospheric Western-themed Harper’s covers of the era.🏔 Double-Page Centerfold — “The City of Denver, and Mountain Scenes in Colorado”A spectacular panorama by Charles Graham, including:A large skyline view of Denver, ColoradoMultiple surrounding mountain and canyon scenesSeven images in total — beautifully detailed and ideal for framing
🤠 Frederic Remington Full Page — “A Quarrel Over Cards – A Sketch From a New Mexican Ranch”An early and highly collectible Remington illustration capturing frontier tension, saloons, and Western storytelling at its finest.🔥 “The Great Fire at St. Augustine, Florida”Three images documenting:The St. Augustine HotelThe CathedralThe Old Slave Market
before the fire — a scarce visual record of early St. Augustine architecture.
🎓 Columbia College Centennial CelebrationA full page of five vignettes depicting the ceremonies, scholars, and campus atmosphere during this major academic milestone.📚 Walt Whitman on Literature & ImmortalityA remarkable printed passage recounting Whitman’s views:His preference for Walter Scott and Scottish folkloreHis lifelong devotion to the BibleHis clarity on personal immortalityA touching scene of “Uncle Walt” playing with children
This is a scarce and charming Whitman biographical anecdote, often missed by casual readers.
🖼 Additional FeaturesPortrait of Count Lyof (Leo) TolstoyPolitical cartoon by W. A. Rogers: “The Returned Prodigal Shows Signs of Relapse”Dozens of period advertisements: Pears’ Soap, Waltham Watches, Baker’s Cocoa, Allcock’s Plasters, and moreFull news coverage and commentary from April 1887---📜 ConditionVery good overall for a 19th-century newspaper:Complete 16-page issueLight toningMinor edge wear from prior binding (common)Clean pages, strong impressions, no major flawsExcellent for display or collection---🖼 Archival Framing AvailableYou may choose any full page or centerfold illustration and have it framed using:Acid-free mattingUV-protective acrylicConservation-grade backingCustom sizing
Perfect for home libraries, offices, Western décor, or gifts for history lovers.---📦 ShippingShips flat, not rolled — in archival protective materials with rigid support.