Lot description
JAMES EDWARD KELLY (1855 – 1933) American sculptor and illustrator who specialized in depicting people and events of American wars, particularly the Civil War. His many dozens of works include the Gen. John Buford Memorial, Gettysburg Battlefield; Washington in Prayer at Valley Forge, Federal Hall National Memorial; and the painting Council of War at Gettysburg. Rare original pencil and ink sketch on an 8 x 5 in. sheet, 1896, depicts the presentation or regimental colors as several officers and soldiers look on. Kelly reused a sheet of stationery on which he had started a letter from his home address in New York to Oliver T. Morton, likely the journalist of the same name. Fine. WITH: an original 10.5 x 7.5 in. photograph (overall) depicting Kelly's 'Council of War at Gettysburg', some pencil shading, signed in the plate at lower-left and with no photographer's stamp. An ink notation on verso reads: 'Original (& only) photo of Kelly's drawing'. Image chipped in one corner, mount chipped as well, still very good. Two pieces. We were unable to find another photograph of this work anywhere online.