Rare! Gettysburg ruby glass from 50th Anniversary Reunion - drum (SOLD)

This is another nice item being offered, it is a ruby red souvenir glass from the 50^th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. It is designed to look like a drum with gold trim and having a diameter of 2 ¾”. It stands 2 ½” high and is 3 ½” wide with the handle. The gold lettering has “50^th Anniversary / Battle of Gettysburg 1863 / 1913”. The other side has a gold eagle. These ruby-flash glasses were popular souvenirs at Gettysburg from 1890's - 1920s.

The 1913 Gettysburg Reunion was a battlefield encampment of Civil War veterans for the Battle of Gettysburg's 50th anniversary. The June 29^th - July 4th gathering of 53,407 veterans (8,750 Confederate) was the largest ever Civil War veteran reunion, and never before in the world's history had so great a number of men so advanced in years been assembled under field conditions. All honorably discharged veterans in the Grand Army of the Republic and the United Confederate Veterans were invited, and veterans from 46 of the 48 states attended.

Despite concerns that there might be unpleasant differences between the blue and gray, the peaceful reunion was repeatedly marked by events of Union–Confederate camaraderie. President Woodrow Wilson's July 4 reunion address summarized the spirit: "We have found one another again as brothers and comrades in arms, enemies no longer, generous friends rather, our battles long past, the quarrel forgotten - except that we shall not forget the splendid valor."

In my book “Battle of Gettysburg – The Relics, Artifacts & Souvenirs”, I go into more detail about the reunions and these types of souvenirs (see pictures). It is safe to say that of the huge crowds of veterans and attendees at the event, most would like to return home with some type of souvenir. A favorite among the souvenirs sold were these high quality glass souvenirs.  This rare Gettysburg collectible is in very nice condition and seldom become available on the market any more – this is only the second one I came across in 25+ years (the other is in my collection). (SOLD)