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  2025-12-06 11:00:00 2025-12-06 11:00:00 America/New_York Circle Auction Circle Auction : Kansas City Collections https://bid.circle-auction.com/auctions/circle-auction/kansas-city-collections-19937
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George Caleb Bingham "Martial Law" Pencil-Signed Engraving (1872)
Lot 6

George Caleb Bingham "Martial Law" Pencil-Signed Engraving (1872)

Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
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Starting Bid
$1,500
[0 Bids]Bidding History
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Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$5,000 $250
$10,000 $500
$20,000 $1,000
$50,000 $2,500
$75,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000

George Caleb Bingham

(Missouri, 1811-1879)

Martial Law, 1872

Mezzotint engraving on paper

21 1/2" x 31" (image)

 

Pencil-signed "G.C. Bingham" to the bottom left margin. The glazed walnut frame measures 31" x 41". Engraved by John Sartain after Bingham's oil, and published by Bingham himself.

 

Martial Law is Bingham's depiction of the aftermath of Union General Thomas Ewing's 1863 General Order #11, requiring the evacuation of northwestern Missouri residents from their homes in areas not firmly under Union control, with exceptions made only for people who could convince the Army of their loyalty. The Order came in response to Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence, Kansas, the blame for which was assigned to Ewing; the general worried that Jayhawkers might respond to Quantrill's Raid in kind and Missouri residents might be killed in retribution. The result of the evacuation order was widespread damage and confiscation of property, leading the area to be labeled the Burnt District. Though a Unionist himself, Bingham was critical of the hardships brought about by General Order #11 onto innocent citizens across the spectrum of political views and social classes.

Condition

Some scraping to the paper scattered in the margins, with creases along the right edge. Toning and spots. Some wear to the frame's gilt sight edge.

Overall Dimensions
Height: 31.00 in
Width: 41.00 in
Depth: 2.50 in

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