Illustrated Civil War Envelope Collection
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Illustrated Civil War Envelope Collection
- Date
- 1850s-1860s
- Extent
- 0.23 Cubic feet
- Subjects
- Envelopes (Stationery)
- United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged by subject.
- Preferred Citation
- 2011MS164: [identification of item], Illustrated Civil War Envelope Collection, 1850s-1860s, University of Kentucky Special Collections.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Illustrated, patriotic envelopes started to appear between 1855 and 1856 as more conflict between the Northern and Southern states developed. At first these envelopes depicted general patriotic themes such as flags but later included portraits of generals and caricatures of politicians. In the 1850s people used the envelopes for mail, but by 1861 the envelopes were considered collector's items. Stationery makers continued their production through the Civil War.
- Hatcher, James Brush. "Flashback: The Patriotic Envelope in Civil War Days". Collectors Weekly. Market Street Media LLC. 16 April 2009. Web. 20 December 2011.
- Scope and Content
- The Illustrated Civil War Envelope Collection consists of illustrated or stamped envelopes depicting patriotic themes, portraits of Civil War heroes, and caricatures of politicians. The collection is organized into two series: Union envelopes and Individual States envelopes. The Union envelopes depict United States patriotic themes such as flags and lady liberty. Additionally, the series includes envelopes with caricatures of Jefferson Davis and Secession. The Individual States envelopes are printed to show individual Union or Confederate States, including Alabama, Minnesota, Oregon, and Maine.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections.
Contents of the Collection
"Union",, 1850s-1860s
Scope and Contents note
The Union series, comprising the bulk of the collection, includes envelopes depicting United States patriotic themes such as flags and lady liberty. Additionally, the series contains envelopes with caricatures of Jefferson Davis and Secession.
Patiotic,, 1850s-1860s
Jefferson Davis/Secession caricatures,, 1860s
Lady Liberty,, 1850s-1860s
The flag,, 1850s-1860s
"Individual States",, 1860s
- Box 1, folder 7
Scope and Contents note
The Individual States series contains envelopes printed to show individual Union or Confederate States, including Alabama, Minnesota, Oregon, and Maine.
Kentucky
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Table of Contents
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
