Rare 1865 Civil War Stereoview U.S. Capitol Wartime Construction Depot Anthony for Sale

Rare 1865 Civil War Stereoview U.S. Capitol Wartime Construction Depot Anthony For Sale

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Rare 1865 Civil War Stereoview U.S. Capitol Wartime Construction Depot Anthony:
$495.00

Rare! 1865 Civil War Stereoview - U.S. Capitol Wartime Construction Depot - Anthony 1291

1865 Civil War Stereoview - U.S. Capitol Wartime Construction Depot - Anthony 1291

Type: Stereoview / Stereograph
Format: Albumen Print on Card Mount
Publisher: E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (591 Broadway, NY)
Photographer: George D. Wakely (c. 1865)
Subject: U.S. Capitol Building, East Front Portico
Card Number: No. 1291 ("Principal Entrance to the Capitol, from the East side")
Conflict: American Civil War (1861-1865)

Up for purchase is an authentic, original 1865 American Civil War stereoview photograph capturing a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the U.S. Capitol East Front Portico operating as an active wartime construction staging zone.

Dating to the spring of 1865, prior to the end of the Civil War on April 9, this historic image showcases the gritty reality of the Capitol grounds while the conflict still raged. While the grand cast-iron dome structure had been structurally finalized overhead, the ground-level plaza was still functioning as a major industrial hub for the ongoing Capitol extension project.

Historical Significance & Visual Highlights

Wartime Construction Clues:The unpaved dirt East Plaza is littered with authentic construction debris, stone dust, and masonry rubble. Visible on the ground is a heavy timber cut stone delivery crate (used to transport Lee marble or Aquia Creek sandstone) along with scaffolding beams visible in the upper corners.
Official "U.S. CAPITOL" Wagon & Horse:Parked at the base of the grand portico steps is an official horse-drawn transport carriage. The dark wooden side panel displays obscured original block lettering reading "U.S. CAPITOL."
1860s Photographic Motion Blur:The horse stands unattended without a driver. Shot using a multi-second wet-plate collodion process, the carriage and wheels are sharp while the horse's head shows a slight, authentic motion blur from a quick head twitch during the exposure.
Site Infrastructure Details (Senate Wing Focus):This view showcases the grand entrance of the newly completedSenate (North) Wing. A key chronological marker is the pair ofbare stone statue pedestals (cheek-blocks) flanking the steps, which remained completely empty throughout the conflict as no statues were ever carved for them. Directly above the columns, the 1863 Crawford pediment sculpture,"The Progress of Civilization,"stands out in sharp relief. Deep-set arched tunnels run structurally underneath the portico landing, flanked by a vintage cast-iron gas street lamp.

Reverse Label Details:

The back of the card features the complete, original paper label printed by the famous publishing house E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. from their legendary shop at 591 Broadway, New York.

Series: Washington City Views
Card Number: No. 1291
Handwritten Notation: Includes a vintage collector or archival pencil/ink inventory mark reading "DC 111" on the lower right back.

Condition Report:

Front: The print retains great detail with strong contrast, showing expected light age-toning, faint spotting, and minor corner/edge wear consistent with a 160-year-old photographic artifact. The lower left front is marked with the negative sequence number 1291.
Back: The reverse paper label is intact, clear, and fully legible with typical light foxing and handling marks from age.

This is a phenomenal, museum-quality piece of American history perfect for collectors of Civil War photography, Washington D.C. history, or early photographic Americana.

(please see pictures)

THIS IS NOT A COPY OR A REPRODUCTION.

PLEASE SEE MY 100% POSITIVE response AND BUY WITH CONFIDENCE.