Price
$325.00
Condition
used
Product Condition
Very fine
Size
5" x 3"
1861 Jeff Davis “Passport” Civil War Satirical Letter Sheet. An original 1861 Civil War pictorial letter sheet featuring a bold satirical design titled “JEFF. DAVIS’ PASSPORT.” The illustration depicts a hand offering a printed “passport” stating that Mr. Jeff Davis and friends are permitted to leave the State of Virginia, humorously attributed to Union General Winfield Scott.
The reverse contains an original period manuscript letter describing severe rain, soaked bedding, wet blankets, and uncomfortable camp conditions — a vivid firsthand glimpse into everyday soldier life during the opening year of the Civil War.
Printed on thin parchment-like paper and in very fine condition, this piece combines political propaganda, graphic satire, and authentic wartime correspondence in a single artifact.
A scarce and highly displayable example of early Civil War patriotic stationery.
From a large collection of Civil War cover and ephemera in very fine condition that we recently acquired.
Pictorial letter sheets were widely produced in the North in 1861–1862 as inexpensive propaganda and morale pieces. Satirical attacks on Confederate leadership—especially Jefferson Davis—were common themes. This example is particularly appealing because it was not merely saved as a novelty, but actually used for correspondence, preserving a contemporary soldier’s description of harsh field conditions alongside a striking political image.
$325.00
used
Very fine
5" x 3"