Early Ruby-flash Gettysburg Souvenir, Axe

Recently, I was able to acquire a lifetime collection of early Gettysburg souvenirs. I myself have always had a fondness for these pieces and have allocated a good portion of my book “Battle of Gettysburg – The Relics, Artifacts & Souvenirs” to their history (see pictures). There are numerous items in the collection, and I will be listing them as quick as I can.

This one is a one-piece ruby-red glass axe measuring 6 ½” x 2 1/2” with “Gettysburg 1863”. During the 1880s and even more so during the 1890s, happy and prosperous Victorians, and Civil War veterans, took to the road, usually by train, to visit Civil War sites. As great collectors during this time period, they sought out mementos of their travels.

One of the most popular of these were the attractive ruby flash glass souvenirs – toothpick holders, tumblers, goblets, creamers, axes, vases, and pitchers, etc., inscribed with the name of the destination, and perhaps the date. Now, many are over 100 years old and have become very collectible in their own right. The axe is one of the rarer ones and this one is in very nice condition, only the writing slightly worn. The color is redder, but it doesn’t show too much in the pictures.