^#1856 ^Lot 1916 Union Soldiers and Sailors National Park

Colorful illustrated souvenir poster, dated 1897, of Union Soldiers and Sailors National Park. Published by The Easel Monument Association, Chicago, IL. This is an original, large three-color poster on reinforced canvas backing, measuring 28.75 x 20.5 depicting a proposal for a multitiered monument presented by “Conrad Gleis,” a private in the “Co. A Alton Battalion, Illinois Volunteer Infantry,” who served from May 1864 to October 1864. The illustration depicts an idealized cityscape with well-dressed denizens proudly gazing at the monument, which thanks the “Brave Boys in Blue who on land and sea volunteered their services during that memorable struggle for the preservation of our Union.” A central horizontal crease, some other scattered creases, dampstaining to edges, and some other small tears and separations, otherwise very good. Although Gleis only served 100 days—he was in the hospital for part of that time, he was a proud veteran who wanted a memorial park and monument to be erected. This olive, green and black poster was a ‘souvenir’ that was sold as a fundraiser by the veterans.