Kurz and Allison
Kurz and Allison (1880 - c. 1905) was an American publishing firm known for its chromolithographs. Founded by Louis Kurz (1835 - 1921) and Alexander Allison, the firm was based at 267-269 Wabash Avenue in Chicago. In the partnership, it is known that Kurz, an Austrian immigrant, was the lithographer and it is presumed that Allison provided the financial backing. The firm is most well-known for its series of thirty-six battle scenes from the American Civil War. At the time of their publication, the late 1880s and early 1890s, a general nostalgia was prevalent among Civil War veterans (of which Kurz was one), and evidently the company was trying to capitalize on the sentiment. Kurz and Allison's Civil War prints were not the first such prints to be issued, but they were by far the most popular. In a style reminiscent of Currier and Ives, Kurz and Allison lithographs are not meant to be historical representations, and even, from time to time, included historical inaccuracies. Even so, 'prints depicting the Civil War battles by Kurz and Allison are among the most sought-after collectibles of Civil War enthusiasts.' Their prints are also notable for featuring African-American soldiers, a rarity for the era. After the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, the firm published views from famous battles and continued doing so for the campaigns of the Philippine-American War and the Russo-Japanese War.
Pivotal Union victory near the end of the American Civil War.
Battle of Five Forks, Va.
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This is an 1886 Kurz and Allison view of the pivotal Battle of Five Forks during the American Civil War. Union forces, most mounted on horseback, are illustrated charging Confederate lines from the left. Brutal hand to hand combat dominated the foreground, while an inoperable Confederate cannon lies derelict in lower right. Union cavalry stretches to the horizon, charging through a cloud of gunpowder towards the Confederate lines. Other Confederate troops mount a hasty if orderly retreat. (more details)
One of Ulysses S. Grant's first victories in the Civil War.
Battle of Fort Donelson.
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This is an 1887 Kurz and Allison view of the American Civil War (1861 - 1865) Battle of Fort Donelson, Tennessee. The view illustrates the Union Army of the Tennessee commanded by Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant (depicted on the left astride a horse) assaulting the Confederate stronghold at Fort Donelson. (more details)
How Harrison became 'Tippecanoe'.
Battle of Tippecanoe.
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This is an 1889 Kurz and Allison view of the 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe, Indiana, fought between Native American tribes led by Tecumseh and the U.S. army led by future president William Henry Harrison. Harrison appears on the left mounted on horseback with his saber raised while his men fire into the charging Native Americans. (more details)
Pivotal War of 1812 naval battle.
Perry's Victory on Lake Erie.
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This is a c. 1889 Kurz and Allison chromolithograph view of the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. The view captures the moment when Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry (1785 - 1819) transfers his flag from the stricken USS Lawrence to the USS Niagara to continue the battle. Perry is illustrated standing, while members of his crew row the small boat across the lake to the Niagara. Among these men is one black man. He is Cyrus Tiffany, Perry's personal servant, who is said to have accompanied Perry during the transfer to Niagara. The stricken Lawrence appears along the left border, while both American and British ships fire at each other in the background. (more details)
'Old Hickory' makes his mark.
Battle of New Orleans.
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A stirring 1890 Kurz and Allison chromolithograph of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans, a major American victory in the closing days of the War of 1812 (1812 - 1815). Although in a sense futile, as a treaty had already been signed ending the war, the battle was nonetheless important for thwarting British hopes of controlling the Mississippi River and propelling Andrew Jackson to the status of national hero, facilitating his later election as president. (more details)
Disastrous French defeat during the Franco-Prussian War.
Battle Near Orléans.
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This is a c. 1890 Kurz and Allison view of the Second Battle of Orléans during the Franco-Prussian War. Kurz and Allison illustrate the French army being surrounded by the Bavarian army on the left (note the blue and white Bavarian flag) and the Prussian army on the right (the army marches behind the red and black Prussian flag). French troops are depicted dying by both gunfire and bayonet. After two days of combat, the French had lost 19,000 men (12,000 of whom were captured) while German casualties amounted to 1,746. The Germans occupied Orléans for the second time during the war on December 5, the day after the battle ended. (more details)
Battle that secured the Shenandoah Valley for the Union.
Battle of Cedar Creek.
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This is an 1890 Kurz and Allison view of the Battle of Cedar Creek, also known as the Battle of Belle Grove, fought during the 1864 Valley Campaigns of the American Civil War (1861 - 1865). Fought on October 19, 1864, the Battle of Cedar Creek ended the 1864 Valley Campaigns and secured Union control of the vital Shenandoah Valley for the remainder of the war. Kurz and Allison focus on the most legendary part of the battle, when Union Major General Philip Sheridan (equestrian at center) dramatically rode into retreating the Union lines to rally his fleeing army. Sheridan gained everlasting fame for his heroics. His army responded to his entreaties, halted the Confederate attack, and routed the Confederate army with a devastating counterattack. (more details)
The United States Colored Troops.
Battle of Nashville.
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This is an 1891 Kurz and Allison chromolithograph American Civil War (1861 - 1865) view of the Battle of Nashville, Tennessee. Union troops are illustrated on the left storming Confederate redoubts. United States Colored Troops are prominently featured courageously advancing in the face of point-blank musket fire. The bulk of the illustrated Confederate soldiers appear in the lower right retreating from determined Federal soldiers. (more details)
Celebrating the 400th anniversary of Columbus's arrival in the New World.
The Great International Naval Review. New York, April 27th, 1893.
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This is a c. 1893 Kurz and Allison chromolithograph view of the 1893 Great International Naval Review in New York City celebrating the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. Naval vessels from many countries took part in the review, including ships from Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, Spain, and, of course, the United States. The view illustrates the vessels at anchor in the Hudson River, with replicas of Columbus's ships, the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, at center. Flags, banners, and other decorations adorn the ship's rigging and masts and smoke billows from their guns. (more details)
The first battle of the Peninsula Campaign.
Battle of Williamsburg.
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This is an 1893 Kurz and Allison chromolithograph view of the Battle of Williamsburg during the American Civil War (1861 - 1865). Depicting the counterattack led by General Winfield Scott Hancock, Union troops advance on a Confederate position from the left, with the flag of the 5th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment occupying the center of the view next to the American flag. The flag of the 6th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment appears in the background near the left border. Confederate and Union troops fight at close range in the lower right foreground, with casualties from both armies sprawled across the field. Some Confederate soldiers are illustrated holding their ground against the charging Federals, but others flee in panic. (more details)
Cutting off the Confederate 'Breadbasket.
Battle of Opequan or Winchester, VA.
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This is an 1893 Kurz and Allison view of the Third Battle of Winchester or the Battle of Opequon during the American Civil War (1861 - 1865). Union cavalry and infantry carrying American flags charge Confederate lines from the left. Wounded and dead soldiers and horses litter the battlefield while plumes of smoke illustrate artillery and gun fire. Battle lines stretch to the horizon. (more details)
Large and stirring portrait of Lincoln.
[Abraham Lincoln].
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This is a large and stirring c. 1895 Louis Kurz and Alexander Allison chromolithograph portrait of Abraham Lincoln. Published thirty years after Lincoln's assassination, Kurz and Allison present the fallen American Civil War leader in a classic pose, thoughtfully staring into the distance wearing in his trademark black tuxedo. (more details)