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c1910 antique GAR? VETERANS ENCAMPMENT TENTS BAND gettysburg pa 18pc PHOTO ALBUM
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Original early 20th-century 18-photo album measuring approximately 6.25 x 4.25 inches, documenting what appears to be a large organized Pennsylvania veterans\' encampment, reunion or military-related gathering.
The album contains a remarkably coherent group of photographs showing a large canvas-tent camp, decorated and uniformed men, women visitors, organized musicians, a drum-and-horn band, railroad transportation, camp cooks, artillery/cannon, and numerous posed groups.
Several clues led me to believe this may be connected with a GAR / Civil War veterans reunion or related veterans\' encampment, possibly in the Gettysburg, Pennsylvania area:
The men shown throughout the album include a number of older participants wearing uniform-style caps, medals, ribbons and badges, which is consistent with the appearance of veterans attending reunion gatherings during the early 1900s. One particularly strong photograph shows an older decorated man posed alone in front of a canvas tent.
Another photograph shows an organized five-man band or drum corps, with two drummers and three wind/brass players. Other photographs show musicians with instruments, including a banjo. The organized music, decorated veterans and extensive tent camp suggest something larger and more formal than a family camping trip.
A photograph showing people gathered beside a railroad passenger car is another significant clue. Large veterans\' reunions were heavily dependent upon railroad transportation. National Park Service documentation of the 1913 Gettysburg 50th Anniversary Reunion specifically records veterans arriving at the Great Camp aboard Philadelphia & Reading passenger cars, as well as railroad cars delivering tents and supplies.
The Library of Congress also holds multiple photographs specifically identified as the 1913 Gettysburg Reunion of GAR and United Confederate Veterans, showing veterans and scenes within the Gettysburg encampment.
Another photograph in this album appears to show horse-drawn artillery or cannon with a large gathering of spectators, while others show extensive rows of tents and organized camp activity. These subjects are consistent with the general type of imagery associated with major veterans\' gatherings of the period.
There is also direct evidence pointing toward Pennsylvania. A partially damaged/obscured image near the rear of the album has surviving printed or photographic text ending in “, Pa.” The album was also acquired in Pennsylvania. Neither fact proves Gettysburg, but together with the veterans, railroad, artillery and encampment imagery, they make Pennsylvania—and Gettysburg in particular—a worthwhile research possibility.
The date is estimated at approximately c1905-1915 based on clothing, photographic format and subject matter. That time frame overlaps the celebrated 1913 Gettysburg Reunion, where GAR and Confederate veterans gathered at a vast temporary encampment. The National Park Service and Library of Congress both preserve extensive photographic documentation of that event.
IMPORTANT: This album is NOT positively identified as Gettysburg, the 1913 Gettysburg Reunion, GAR, or a Spanish-American War veterans\' gathering. “Gettysburg” and “GAR?” are included as research possibilities because of the combination of Pennsylvania evidence, veteran-aged decorated men, military-style encampment, band/drum corps, railroad scene and artillery imagery. A future researcher may be able to identify the location, organization, uniforms, badges or event conclusively.
The album contains 18 original photographs. Several pages/photos are loose or detached. One rear page has significant surface and paper loss where material appears to have been removed. Original black album leaves and attractive green floral-patterned endpapers remain. Covers show extensive edge rubbing, wear and surface loss. Photographs exhibit varying degrees of age toning, fading, spotting and surface wear. Please examine all photos carefully for exact condition and contents.
A particularly compelling piece of early 20th-century Pennsylvania veterans, military and social history, with substantial research potential.
Authentic period piece related to family, historyor local heritage - well-suited for historical collections, genealogical /genealogy research, or museum acquisition.Vintage or Antique.
CONDITION: See listing description and photos.
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LOC:
LOC2: BOOKSHELF15-MULTI(4)-F260916BCFI0
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