"Last Gun of the Confederacy, CSS Shenandoah" Lot no. 3222
By John Ford Clymer (American- 1907-1989)
1964 (Estimated)
11.50" x 27.00"
Oil on Board
Signed Lower Left
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Story illustration for “Last Gun of the Confederacy” by Charles E. Hinkson published in Reader’s Digest, September 1964, pages 58-59. Original copy of magazine included.
The illustration brings to life the story of the CSS Shenandoah, a formidable Confederate cruiser that played a notable role in the American Civil War. As a commerce raider under the command of Captain James I. Waddell, the Shenandoah embarked on a remarkable global voyage, its mission to disrupt the Union by capturing or destroying their merchant vessels. This campaign proved highly effective, with the cruiser accounting for at least 38 Union ships, mainly whaling vessels, and inflicting considerable economic damage. Unbeknownst to its crew due to the era's slow communication, the Shenandoah continued its raids for months after the Confederacy's surrender at Appomattox, ultimately concluding its journey by surrendering to British authorities in Liverpool in November 1865.
The story is described by Reader’s Digest as “An incredible saga of the sea, that could only have happened before there were ships’ radios to flash news around the world.”
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See all original artwork by John Ford Clymer
ABOUT THE ARTIST
John Clymer was born in Ellensburg, Washington. His art education was acquired at the Vancouver School of Fine Art, the Ontario College of Art in Port Hope, Canada, as well as at the Wilmington Society of Fine Arts in Delaware, and the Grand Central School of Art in New York. With this background, his loyalties had ever since been divided between the United States and Canada.
Clymer's first illustrations were made for Canadian publications, followed by American Pulps, which lead to editorial assignments for most of the American magazines, numerous advertising campaigns, and an extensive series of the paintings of historic episodes for the United States Marine Corps during World War II.
His paintings have been exhibited widely in both countries as well, with the North West Artists in Seattle, the Ontario Society of Artists, the Royal Canadian Academy in Toronto, Canada (where he was an Associate member), the National Academy in New York, the Salmagundi Club, the Society of Animal Artists, and the Hudson Valley Artists. Clymer was an exhibiting member of the Cowboy Artists and the National Academy of Western Art, winning numerous awards. His biography John Clymer, An Artist's Rendevous with the Frontier West was published by Northland Pree in 1976. He was elected to the society of Illustrators Hall of Fame in 1982.