The Haversack: State Fencibles Fair Journal

Philadelphia, 1883. Very good.. Vol. I, Nos. 1-13. Each issue 8pp. Large folio. Loose issues stitched together at an early date. Light wear and soiling to outer leaves, heaviest to first leaf. Daily newspaper published by the Old Guard State Fencibles of Philadelphia during the Fair of the Infantry Battalion held at Industrial Hall in Philadelphia in November 1883. The State Fencibles were a Philadelphia militia unit founded in 1813 and disbanded in 1900 with the advent of the National Guard. The fair for which this paper was issued was a gala bazaar fundraiser which lasted two weeks and drew over 10,000 visitors on the opening evening. The content is comprised primarily of advertising, with a few pieces on members of the unit and goings-on around the fair. Notably, the first page of each issue features a woodcut portrait of one of the members.

We find no copies of this periodical in OCLC, and presume it was issued in a small number for members of the battalion. It was clearly a souvenir of the event, and has been saved here as such.