JEFF'S LAST SKEDADDLE. OFF TO THE LAST DITCH. HOW JEFF IN HIS EXTREMITY PUT HIS NAVEL AFFAIRS AND RAM-PARTS UNDER PETTICOAT PROTECTION.
[St. Louis? 1865]. Lithograph Broadside, oblong 14" x 20." Signed in facsimile at lower right by St. Louis artisans, 'T. Welcker,' and at lower left, 'A. McLean. lith.' Light blank margin toning. Very Good.
It was rumored that, when Jefferson Davis was captured at War's end, he had disguised himself in a woman's dress. That this was not so did not discourage anyone from telling the story. "Davis in female garb, with bucket, pursued by Union cavalrymen. Near tent Mrs. Davis, in petticoat and crinoline, says, 'Please Gentlemen dont disturb the Privacy of Ladies before they have time to dress.' Soldier answers, 'All right Madam we can't wait till you have on your Dud's'." [Weitenkampf ]. See the article on this lithograph at the online site of the National Museum of American History.
Such depictions were of course intended to humiliate Davis and the Confederate cause; the amusing sexual references in the title probably accomplished that purpose.
Weitenkampf 150. OCLC records six locations of this scarce item under several accession numbers as of December 2024. Not in Reilly. Item #37127
Price: $1,500.00