MI Printing History: Illustrated Civil War Magazines

Of course the American Civil War was from 1861 to 1865 and was a conflict that nearly tore this country apart.  People were very interested in the news and images from that great war.  In 1895 Charles P. Johnson printed a series of magazines that related the stories and images of the Civil War.

With help from the War Department in Washington D. C. and using original Matthew Brady photographs Johnson produced a 16 volume set of magazines that were highly prized works.

Each of the volumes contained many stories that were illustrated with drawings and photographs that were from many sources.  These sources include letters, official documents and newspaper accounts.

The set was reprinted in 1905 by Lossing History Company and was reprinted again in 1912 by The War Memorial Association.  It is very difficult to find a complete set in good condition today.  The 1912 edition even included color images.

If you can find and enjoy these Civil War reproductions consider yourself lucky.