Souvenir Cyclorama of the Battle of Gettysburg

Fascinating souvenir from a large panorama of the most famous battle of the American Civil War.

The cyclorama was a form of popular entertainment that consisted of a 360-degree panoramic image on the inside of a cylindrical “stage.” The first cyclorama was created in Scotland in 1787 by painter Robert Barker, who wanted to capture and present to the public the view from Carlton Hill in Edinburgh. By the late 19th century, the attractions were wildly popular, and the best often went on “tours” to various locations across the country. In America, the Civil War was especially popular, and cycloramas of popular battles like Antietam, the Battle of Chattanooga, and the Siege of Vicksburg were all created.

Any commemoration of the Civil War would be incomplete without mention of Gettysburg, so it’s perhaps no surprise that there were actually multiple cycloramas of the famous battle. This is a souvenir of the most famous, which is now available on display at the National Military Park in Pennsylvania. It was originally created by artist Paul Philippoteaux (the second of his) and housed in a special purpose-built theater on Tremont Street in Boston in 1884, where it stood on display for nearly the next 20 years.

This pamphlet was issued in 1886, two years after the cyclorama opened, and includes a labeled centerfold print of the magnificent artwork. The booklet also contains a single-page map of the battle of Gettysburg, a narrative of the three days’ events, numerous contemporary advertisements, and a complete roster of the federal army members engaged in the battle. An important relic highlighting the commemoration of the War Between the States, barely twenty years after it concluded.