The Fathers and Saviors of Our Country: A Presidential Sale

ATHERTON, Charles E. Kitty Wells. New York: S.T. Gordon, [n.d.].

COE, S.L. Ellsworth's Avengers. [New York]: Published for the Author, 1861.

GIBBONS, James Sloan. My Love is on the Battle Field. [New York: Charles Magnus, 1863].

KEY, Francis Scott. The Star-Spangled Banner. [New York: Charles Magnus, 1864].

MASON, Caroline Atherton. Do They Miss Me At Home? New York: Charles Magnus, [n.d.].

MUHLENBERG, William Augustus. The President's Hymn: Give Thanks, All Ye People... New York: A.D.F. Randolph, 1863.

ROOT, George Frederick. On, On, On, the Boys Come Marching! New York: Charles Magnus, [n.d.].

VOSBURGH, C.A. Tell Mother I Die Happy: The Last Words of Lieut. Crosby... New York: S.T. Gordon, [1863].

WINNER, Septimus. Col. Ellsworth's Funeral March. Philadelphia: Lee & Walker, 1861.

And 180 others, condition generally fine.

During the Civil War, music played a vital role in keeping soldiers entertained and morale high, especially during long gaps between engagements with opposing forces. To this end, writers flooded the market with patriotic songs and poems, often sung to the tunes of older, more popular works.

One of the most popular purveyors of song sheets was Charles Magnus, a New York printer whose color lithographs of city views and patriotic images were among the most popular of the 19th century, particularly during the Civil War. His pictures of Civil War battlefields were especially popular, as he was one of the few printers provided with passes to all Union camps; his work was considered vital to sustaining support for the war in northern cities, as it was easy for citizens to lose their appetite for the war effort when they were so far removed from its immediate effects. He often reprinted song sheets with only slight design variations to maximize profit.