Details: BARNARD, George N. (1819-1902). Savannah, Ga. No. 1. [New York: 1866]. Albumen photograph from a negative taken in 1866, 10 x 13 7/8 inches, on original two-tone gilt-edged thin card mount, 15 7/8 x 19 1/4 inches, with plate title and photographer's credit. Areas of mild discolouration throughout; repaired tear to mount, right edge.

A stunning image from Barnard's 'Photographic Views of Sherman's Campaign', an album which is one of the two greatest photographic monuments to the Civil War and 'a landmark in the history of photography' (Keith F. Davis). A contemporary reviewer wrote of this image and its companions: 'These photographs... surpass any other photographic views which have been produced in this country - whether relating to the war or otherwise' ('Harper's Weekly', 8 December, 1866, p.771)

This image comes from George N. Barnard's album titled Photographic Views of Sherman's Campaign, embracing scenes of the occupation of Nashville, the great battles around Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain, the campaign of Atlanta, March to the Sea, and the Great Raid through the Carolinas (1866). This album, together with Alexander Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the Civil War (1866) are the two greatest photographic monuments of the Civil War. Between them, they contain some of the most famous images of the War.

This fine example of the photograph shows the warehouses on the Savannah River, which may well have contained the 250,000 bales of cotton that Sherman mentioned in his telegram to Lincoln in which he offered Savannah as a Christmas present. It is in any event a wonderful photograph illustrating one of the great non-casualties of the war. When Sherman arrived at the outskirts of Savannah and connected with the U. S. Naval forces on the coast, the destruction and agony of the city appeared to be inevitable. However, the Confederate troops evacuated the city, the Mayor surrendered, and Savannah was spared. The bright sunny day enhanced by thick, fast moving clouds transposed by Barnard onto the photograph) seems to celebrate the great military non-event. (Note the double-wheeled steamboat docked on the river).

Cf. De Renne p.1317; cf. Howes B150, "b."; cf. Sabin 3462; cf. Taft Photography and the American Scene pp.232 & 486.

See also:
George N. Barnard Photographic Views of Sherman's Campaign... with a new preface by Beaumont Newhall New York: 1977
Keith F. Davis. George N. Barnard Photographer of Sherman's Campaign Kansas City, Miss.: 1990
Condition / Notes: Please attend our live auction to inspect this important original antique photograph in person.

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