Civil War Metal Eagle Statue

Hi, I have an interesting old gold-painted metal statue titled "The Return of Old Abe" which was modelled after a bald eagle used as a Wisonsin regiment's mascot during the Civil War that died in 1881. I have searched online for a similar one but have not found a match. It is unmarked and is not one of the Case "Abe" eagles. Have you ever seen one and do you know the age? I assume it's late 1800's. Also, the legs have been soldered at the ankles so it must have been broken long ago and repaired. Any help you can offer will be appreciated. Thanks!

 

A half hour of searching and nothing.

 

I know - it's frustrating to come up empty. I've been looking for days without one match. Thanks for trying!

 

It's interesting and I dove back in.

It could have been associated with one of Old Abe's tours?

Advantage was taken of his celebrity to put him on exhibition at several Sanitary Fairs that were held in the West, for the benefit of sick and wounded soldiers, and very large sums were realized by the sale of his history, photographs and pictures. At the Chicago Sanitary Fair, in the winter of 1864, no less a sum than $16,000 Avas raised entirely by this means. The Wisconsin Legislature of 1876, by a joint resolution of Assembly and Senate, authorized Governor H. Ludington to have "Old Abe" borne to the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia, by some veteran soldier of his old regiment, there to show to the assembled thousands from all parts of the world how happily chosen was our national emblem.

from
https://ia801606.us.archive.org/31/items/centennialexposi00ingr/centennialexposi00ingr.pdf

Circa 1890s ...
https://www.bargainjohn.com/product/cast-iron-old-abe-with-a-shield-coin-bank/


another bank ...
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/wisconsins-war-old-abe-historic-eagle-bank-cica

 

This is the closest illustrated theme I could find, from 1876. It has all of the elements seen in the statue.

 

anything under neath

 

It is hollow inside and if there was something covering the base, it's long gone.

 

Yes, the same imagery used. Thank you for looking into this and finding these examples.

 

I too thought the design might have been taken from a period illustration. In Harper's Magazine or some such. Wonder what "The Return" means as the war was over?

Debora

 

Another war perhaps? Spanish-American? Timing would fit. It is an image that combines the end of hostilities -- the downed flag, the fired cannon balls, the empty kepi -- with -- given the aggressive stance of the eagle -- the threat of new hostilities.
(According to the internet, the 8th Wisconsin regiment wasn't called to fight in 1898 but Wisconsin did send 24,000 tropps.)

Debrora

 

Maybe "The Return" refers to Old Abe’s return from war or the symbolic return home with Union troops?

 

IMO, the bellicose posture of the eagle doesn't support that interpretation. This image does. The eagle in a peaceful posture looking back and reflecting on the heights of achievement.

Debora

 

There is a morale boosting account that during a battle at Corinth, Old Abe's tether broke, flew into the battle and returned.
https://www.beachesofnormandy.com/articles/Old_Abe_the_original_Screaming_Eagle/?id=650df174db

 

That's interesting. Could depict his will to fight after being shot, then returning to battle. An inspiration to the troops.

Debora

 

The town where I live, Eindhoven, has a connection with Old Abe. The town was liberated by the 101st Airborne Division, the Screaming Eagles.
This is a photo of part of last year's remembrance at the Screaming Eagles Monument in Eindhoven from the entrance:


https://indebuurt.nl/eindhoven/nieu...ij-het-airborne-monument-in-eindhoven~383415/

 

It's a small world, AJ!

 

It certainly is!

 

There's a Facebook Forum called Forgotten Wisconsin. Someone posted a photo of old Abe, maybe they have some info. Theres also book of the same name.

 

Here's a very fancy raffle prize from the Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair, 1864
https://mohistory.org/collections/item/resource:202563?view=scroll

There were many such fund raising events over the years. Possibly another source for your statue.

more ...
https://civilwartalk.com/threads/civil-war-sanitary-fairs.143166/

some of the items you may find ...

 

I love the photos. Maybe if I use a magnifying glass, I can see my Abe statue in there.