Volck, Adalbert John (1828-1912) Buying a substitute in the North during the war
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00493.07 Author/Creator: Volck, Adalbert John (1828-1912) Place Written: s.l. Type: Print Date: circa 1880-1890 Pagination: 1 etching : b&w ; 26.1 x 34.8 cm. Order a Copy
Image comments negatively upon the Northern policy of allowing men to find a substitute to take their place in the draft. Shows a well-dressed and dandified agent with a holstered pistol showing a timid gentleman into a low class pub where the shyster agent is displaying the men the gentleman can buy as a substitute. The door has a sign pasted to it that says "Substitutes for sale supply of ablebodied men always on hand." Volck satirizes the claim that these are "ablebodied men," by depicting lower-class drunks and card players in a pub. Two blacks also appear to among the choices the gentleman can make. A poster of "Honest Abe" is in the background. Size in extent is for the mount. The actual size of the etching is 20.4 x 26.4 cm. Title in pencil on verso.
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