[CIVIL WAR]. TABER, Isaac Walton, artist. Pen and ink drawing of electronic eavesdropping.

Pen and ink on paper, 7 3/4 x 15 1/8 in. (sight), matted and framed, 15 1/2 x 24 in. Signed "Taber" lower right. The back of the drawing has multiple notations including "Tapping a Wire - War Telegraph" and two hand stamps. An additional light, pencil notation is at the top right of the drawing, near the line where the image was framed, which appears to read, "Military Telegraph - Tapping a Wire."

An original illustration depicting a man in the field, his weapon and gear at his side, using a monitoring device connected to wires in an attempt to eavesdrop, produced by Walton Tabor for Century Magazine, ca 1880. Provenance: Previously sold by Christie's East, 1988 (consignor relates); consigned by a private collector.

A scarce, early rendering of electronic eavesdropping, which was employed during the Civil War.

Isaac Walton Taber (ca 1857-1933) is best known for his nearly 250 illustrations published in the expansive four-volume series, Battles and Leaders of the Civil War. Many of his sketches were based upon photographs taken by Civil War photographers, and therefore depict actual scenes from the war. He also contributed his artwork to magazines such as Century and St. Nicholas, and illustrated books including Rudyard Kipling's Captain Courageous and the 1928 edition of Herman Melville's Moby Dick.

This lot is located in Chicago.

Overall toning to the image. There are also scattered notations and losses along the edges. There is a quarter-size speck of residue on the top right.

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Katie Horstman

VP, Head of Department, American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

[email protected]513.666.4958

Ms. Horstman has spent over a decade specializing in historic photography and Americana at auction. During her tenure, she has overseen several notable single owner auctions, including property from the inventory of celebrated Americana and antique arms expert Norm Flayderman. During her time with the firm, she has maintained an active membership in the Daguerreian Society. Ms. Horstman holds an MA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Art History from The Ohio State University.

American Historical Ephemera & Early Photography Online

[CIVIL WAR]. TABER, Isaac Walton, artist. Pen and ink drawing of electronic eavesdropping.

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