Description:

WILLIAM L. SHEPPARD
(1833 - 1912) American artist and illustrator, enlisted in the Richmond Howitzers, reaching the rank of engineering officer. He devoted most of his spare time to drawing and painting his fellow soldiers, and he is credited for providing valuable visual records of the war from the perspective of a Southerner. After the war, he continued his career as a painter and book illustrator, and as a sculptor, he completed the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Richmond. Fine original pen and ink illustration signed 'W L S', 9.5 x 11 in., Brookfield, Ma., ca. 1880. The image with attached caption show a stereotypical Black youth 'Rastus' and an older man chatting and both speaking in 'negro dialect'. The older man explains that the boy should know better next time than to rent his head out to replace a 'busted' ball. The youth explains to 'Uncle Mose' that he made a dollar and got a new set of clothes, 'an it nebber hurt a bit 'cept w'en dey missed my haid...' Fine.

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April 1, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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