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May, 2017 The Antique Shoppe Page 3
IRONCLADS ironclads.

Contiued from Page 1 Souvenir postcards about the two ships and their great naval battle were issued by
more than a dozen printers in the years between 1904 and 1914.
“Merrimac,” berthed at Fort Norfolk, was blown up the following month to prevent Some of the dozens of Memorial Day postcards produced during this era had
it’s falling into the hands of invading Yankees. “Monitor” sank on December 31 of that illustrations of the ironclads. Publishers included L. R. Conwell and Raphael Tuck &
year while being towed to North Carolina. Sons (Series No. 1078).
Though both Along with toy models of “Merrimac” and “Monitor,” illustrated premium
ironclads were storybooks, and other souvenirs, exposition postcards about them were favorites with a
gone, naval generation of fairgoers.
warfare had been Forty-five years after the epic Civil War battle, the Jamestown (Virginia) Exposition
changed; Ships of 1907 opened. Being in the general area where the two ships had fought and
of the line would heralding a general theme of national reconciliation, it focused renewed attention on
now be made of the 1862 event. All of this, combined
iron and armed with the fact that recreations of the naval
with multiple gun battle were being staged continuously
turrets. at a sideshow in the amusement area,
The battle created a demand for pictorial postcards
quickly became about the ironclads.
part of Memorial New York City’s A. C. Bosselman
Day lore. The May & Co. output was a major presence at
holiday, originally the expo. As part of their two sets were
called Decoration From L. E. Conwell’s gold bordered 1909 Memorial Day series several about the armored vessels. No.
Day, had evolved showing “Monitor” in the background 5987, a double scene, offered “Monitor
into an annual and Merrimac” and “Virginia Sinking
observance throughout the North a short while after the war’s end. the Cumberland.” Another double—
People never forgot the two ships or their historic fight. By the turn of the 20th century, scene, No. 5989, portrayed “Destruction
recreations of the battle were favorite amusement park and exposition attractions. of the Virginia, May 11, 1862” and
Ingenious mechanical devises and elaborately designed backdrops were crafted to “Destruction of the Merrimac.”
portray the famous naval duel. Among Jamestown A&V Co.’s
Probably the most elaborate of these took place at the 1907 Jamestown Exposition extensive line of postcards for the expo
in an amusement area called the War Patch. This same sideshow also showed up two can be found an artist’s rendition of the
years later at the Alaska—Yukon—Pacific Exposition in Seattle. Later it moved to Luna historic clash.” Raphael Tuck & Sons
Park in Coney Island and was enjoyed by large audiences for another decade. A The borrowed some of A&V’s illustrations,
public’s fascination with “Merrimac” and “Monitor” never wavered. Hollywood took including “Battle Between the Monitor
advantage of this obsession by making a romantic motion picture about it, Republic and Merrimac” for its set with silver
Pictures “Hearts in Bondage” (1936). The film told the story of two close friends - and “Merrimac” and “Monitor” battling, Part of backgrounds.
their sweethearts — who chose different sides in the war and ended up in the opposing Memorial Day set, no publisher identification Continued on Page 8

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ARCADIA

MADDY'S ANTIQUES

121 W. Oak St. Voted
“Best Antiquing
Specializing in: Town in Florida”
Country, Primitives, Vintage Sports ORANGE AVE. 2 POLK AVE. By Florida
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OAK STREET
Thur. & Fri. 12-4, Sat. 10-4 or by appt.
View our store at: maddysantiques.net 1
1 MONROE ST . DESOTO AVE.

Antique Association of Arcadia New Proprietors Dale & Sharon,

MONTHLY ANTIQUE FAIR Long-time dealers at The Galleria Mall,
Punta Gorda invite you to
MAY 27 “Come Spend the Day With US” their newly opened shop. . .
JUNE 24 (Every 4th Saturday 8am-3pm)
JULY 22 Booth Space 863-993-5105 YELLOW BRICK ROAD
20 ANTIQUE SHOPS IN 3 BLOCKS Antiques & Collectibles
Visit www.arcadiaFLantiques.com for details 112 W. Oak Street

Association Members Arcadia, FL 34266
863-993-3000
Alley Cat Antiques ............. 863-494-6049 Bizarre Bazaar ..............863-456-5608
Corey’s Antiques ................ 863-494-5959 Maddy’s Antiques ........863-494-2500 ALWAYS BUYING
Miss Pearl’s Place .............. 863-494-0232 Timeless Treasures .....941-993-9393 One Piece or Entire Estate 2
Yellow Brick Road .............. 863-993-3000 Manny’s Odds & Ends ..239-384-1705