Civil War GAR 1896 Donaldson Litho. Co. Grand Army Rep.

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Civil War GAR 1896 Donaldson Litho. Co. Grand Army Rep.

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Sold Date: 08/04/2007
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Militaria & Weapons

Grand Army of the Republic G.A.R. Pennsylvania

1896 13th Annual Reunion Poster

The Donaldson Litho Co.

This auction is for a genuine 1896 Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) 13th Annual Renion Poster made by The Donaldson Litho Co. This poster is in very good condition, it has some tape on the middle top area and some moisture damage on the bottom right corner (shown in close up pictures), but overall very good condition considering its 115 years old! All words are legible and colors are still very bright. This poster comes from an attic of a house dating back to the civil war. This poster has been professional framed with a value of $500. A GAR medal was also part of the frame but was sold a couple of years back, You can see in the pictures the empty space w the medal use to be. The frame is made of wood in a gold color with beautiful detail. This is a pretty big poster it measures 27"w x 41"h and 35"w x 53"h framed.

The Donaldson Litho Co. - Donaldson Litho. Co. was a popular source for these posters. As was common in those days, the lithograph company would be the creator as well as the printer and distributor.

G.A.R. - Grand Army of the Republic - Founded in Decatur, Illinois on April 6, 1866 by Benjamin F. Stephenson, membership was limited to honorably discharged veterans of the Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps or the Revenue Cutter Service who had served in the American Civil War between April 12, 1861 and April 9, 1865. The community level organization was called a "Post" and each was numbered consecutivelly within each department. The Departments generally consisted of the Posts within a state and, at the national level, the organization was operated by the elected "Commandery-in-Chief."

The GAR founded soldiers' homes, was active in relief work and in pension legislation. Five members were elected President of the United States and, for a time, it was impossible to be nominated on the Republican ticket without the endorsement of the GAR voting block.

In 1868, Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan issued General Order No. 11 calling for all Departments and Posts to set aside the 30th of May as a day for remembering the sacrifices of fallen comrades, tby beginning the celebration of Memorial Day.