A very attractive little lithographed gift-volume published to be given as a gift to the children of soldiers fighting in the Civil War. This copy was gifted to John Wesley Costley [b.1859] when 5 years old, signed "Santa Claus," but actually by his father, First Sargeant, Joseph Costley [1836-1865]. He was mustered from Gillespie, Illinois with the 144th Infantry, Company K. He died February 10, 1865 in St. Louis, before the war could end and he could return to his wife and son.
Anonymous. The Spirit of Young America. Published by Fall River Litho. Co. Fall River, Mass. 1864. 14pp.
A good copy, bound in wraps, shaken, with light foxing and handled pages. Images remain very bright and attractive.
