Union Prisoners at Salisbury, N.C.

Very scarce 1863 "Union Prisoners at Salisbury N.C." color lithographic print by Sarony, Major, and Knapp: A Remarkable 19th Century Base Ball Display Piece One of the most significant 19th century baseball related pieces of artwork copies of which not only survive in exceedingly limited supply but rarely become available for public acquisition. Imperial folio size hand colored print depicting Union soldiers who had been taken prisoner by the Confederate Army playing baseball. The Confederate prison operated in Salisbury, NC between 1861 and 1865 housing approx. 10-15,000 Union prisoners. The game of baseball was one of the main recreational escapes for both Union and Confederate forces during the Civil War with various written references and imagery from the period corroborating same. Diaries from prisoners dating to 1862 were discovered noting that baseball games were played at the Salisbury prison nearly every day. As the war lagged on fewer prisoners were afforded such leisurely activities and general conditions rendered the majority obsolete. Based on these period accounts we can deduce that the game of baseball depicted in the print took place in late spring or early summer of 1862. Well uniformed players wearing bib front jerseys can be seen at the center of the scene playing baseball. Onlookers include townspeople and Confederate guards two of which can be seen with guns. Interesting details abound within the background scenery of the prison grounds to include Confederate regimental flag and a small town visible beyond the stockade fencing. General condition is very fine with rich original color and strong eye appeal. Typical light "oxing is seen in the margin areas. There are a few areas of inpainting to some restored creasing/tears most of which are relatively minor to the bottom margins of the print. There is another repaired tear/crease with some inpainting on the right margin area within the trees in the image. These areas of inpainting were executed many years ago and could certainly be improved upon if so desired. With small chip to edge of frame noted for accuracy only. Titling is found at the bottom margin along with lithographer, publisher, and artist of the original watercolor used as the basis for the print, Otto Botticher. Botticher was a Prussian immigrant who painted portraits in New Jersey and New York and was captured in early 1862 while serving as Captain in the Union army. The print was originally purchased from Kennedy Galleries to which a vintage label is affixed to the verso. This particular example from the Gladstone Collection was featured in the acclaimed documentary "Baseball" by Ken Burns. Important and very early baseball rendering which has long been regarded as one of the finest baseball related artwork item of its medium: VG-EX