Nov 16 1878 Harpers Weekly, St. Patricks Cathedral Fair, Bombay Wrestling, Rio d For Sale

This November 16, 1878 issue of Harper’s Weekly is a standout for collectors of New York City landmarks, early sports, and the intricate political satire of Thomas Nast. It offers a rare visual journey from the fairgrounds of St. Patrick’s Cathedral to the rugged wrestling pits of India.
​Title: Nov 16 1878 Harpers Weekly, St. Patricks Cathedral Fair, Bombay Wrestling, Rio de Janeiro, Thomas Nast
​Main Issue Highlights
​🏛️ St. Patrick’s Cathedral Centerfold: A spectacular double-page centerfold titled "The Fair of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York." This detailed engraving captures a massive fundraising bazaar held just before the cathedrals official opening in 1879. It is an essential piece for NYC historians and collectors of Catholic heritage.
​🗳️ Thomas Nast’s "Greenback Fleece": The front page features a full-page Nast illustration: "The Argonauts in Search of the Greenback Fleece." Using classical mythology, Nast critiques the "Greenback" movement and the eras complex currency debates.
​🇧🇷 Views of Rio De Janeiro: Two detailed half-page illustrations: "Entrance to the Harbor, Looking Seaward" and "View of the City from Across the Harbor." These offer rare 19th-century vistas of Brazil’s capital and its famous natural harbor.
​🪑 The Rage for Old Furniture: A full-page illustration reflecting the Colonial Revival movement of the 1870s. It captures the Victorian obsession with "antique" furniture—a fascinating look at early American interior design trends.
​⛪ The Rock of Andromeda, Jaffa: A half-page illustration of the historic port of Jaffa (modern-day Tel Aviv-Yafo), showing the legendary rock formation from Greek mythology.
​🎖️ Military Record: Features a half-page portrait of The Late Lieutenant Hiram H. Benner, a hero of the 1878 yellow fever epidemic in the South.
​The Supplement: Wrestling & The Khyber Pass
​The included original supplement contains two of the most visually impressive prints of the year:
​🤼 A Native Bombay Regiment at Play: A significant 2/3 page illustration titled "The Wrestlers Preparing to Close." This is a rare, high-quality 19th-century depiction of Kushti (Indian wrestling). It captures the physical intensity and cultural importance of the sport within the British Indian Army.
​⚔️ The Council of War Centerfold: A second massive double-page supplement centerfold titled "Meeting of Afreedis in the Khyber Pass." This dramatic scene documents tribal leaders in the Northwest Frontier during the Second Anglo-Afghan War.
​🔍 Condition
​I have provided high-resolution photos of every page. This 147-year-old issue is complete in 16 pages plus the illustrated supplement. The engravings, particularly the Bombay wrestling scene and the Cathedral centerfold, remain dark and crisp. The issue is in good condition with authentic age-toning characteristic of its 1878 origin.
​📦 Shipping & 🖼️ Archival Framing
​Professional Shipping: Your history will arrive flat, secure, and tracked. We use heavy-duty archival boards to ensure these delicate documents never roll or fold during transit. 🚫🗞️​Archival Framing Available: The St. Patricks Cathedral centerfold and the Bombay Wrestling print are museum-quality candidates for display. I offer Custom Archival Framing upon request, using UV-protected glass and acid-free matting. 🏛️
​💎 Why It’s Collectible
​Early Sports Imagery: Contemporary 1870s depictions of non-Western sports like Indian wrestling are exceedingly rare and highly valued.
​NYC Architectural History: The St. Patricks Fair print is a primary source for the history of one of Americas most famous cathedrals.
​Afghan War Documentation: The "Council of War" centerfold provides a crucial perspective on the tribal dynamics of the Khyber Pass.
​SEO Keywords
​1878 Harpers Weekly, Thomas Nast Greenback Fleece, St Patricks Cathedral New York Fair, Bombay Wrestling Kushti, Rio de Janeiro Harbor, Khyber Pass Afghan War, Afreedi Council of War, Colonial Revival Furniture, Antique Wood Engraving.
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