Item 9999 - Mort  Kunstler's High Water Mark"  - This is a rare, out of print, limited edition, numbered Gettysburg print, signed by artist, Mort Kunstler. The work is entitled “High Water Mark.” The work, done by Kunster to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, depicts that moment when Pickett’s Charge reached its climax, and Robert E. Lee’s northern advance stumbled. The work is rare and is seldom available today. The work is framed and matted.

This print, number 467 of 750 contains the signature of Mort Kunstler in the lower right. The print is in the original matt and frame in which it was purchased at the American Print Gallery in Gettysburg in about 1989. American Print Gallery’s certificate of authenticity is on the back of the frame. The frame has a small plate at bottom giving the name of the print which reads “The High Water Mark” Gettysburg, July 3, 1863, Mort Kunstler” To our understanding, the print was framed using archival quality materials. Kunstler’s website indicates that limted edition prints are “produced using museum quality inks and pH neutral (acid-free) paper to preserve the life of the print and to prevent discoloration.”

This work was the first of Mort Kunstler’s many Civil War projects. The painting from which the print was made was unveiled at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum on July 2, 1988 as part of the 125th anniversary celebration of the battle. This print shows the action of battle in a manner that is seldom captured. It shows the determination and bravery of both sides and the terrible result of canister fire!

Mort Kunstler’s comments on this work of art can be found at various places on the web. He wrote “My desire to do a painting to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg led me to Gettysburg in early 1988. I was anxious to do a battle scene that would be instantly recognizable to the Civil War buff as Gettysburg, the turning point of the war. After a great deal of reading, studying the battlefield and consulting with chief historian Kathy Harrison, and historians John Heiser and Bob Prosperi of the National Military Park, I felt the view looking south at Cemetery Ridge just north of the angle would do it all…In one painting, I was able to capture the Union troops firmly entrenched behind the stone wall during Pickett's Charge, with the famed Angle and Copse of Trees as well as the identifiable Little and Big Round Tops in the background. In the right foreground are soldiers of the 22nd and 26th North Carolina charging headlong into the overwhelming fire of the 14th Connecticut. In the right middle ground, a soldier from the 26th North Carolina in the shell jacket and blue pants with his back towards the viewer, wears an "Iron Brigade" hat as a trophy, taken from a fallen Union soldier in the fierce fighting of two days earlier. Pennsylvania regiments battle in the Angle in front of the Copse of Trees with Armistead's Virginians as the Garibaldi Guard rush in as reinforcements from the left. The cannon, firing double canisters at close range, from Arnold's battery, takes its deadly toll. This was the moment when the Southerners started to surrender and retreat. For me, this was the High Water Mark of the Confederacy.”

This print has long been out of print, and available only rarely in some of the Civil War print galleries. The print usually ranges in price from about $3,000 to $3,800. The image size: 15 1/4" x 28 1/2". Overall framed size is: 25" x 38".

There several small items concerning the print that must be pointed out. Near the top of the print, in the sky near the edge is what appears to be a small area of foxing, or discoloration. A very small spot of foxing appears below the print also. Additionally, on the matt board, at the lower left are a series of small lighter marks.

The buyer is responsible for all shipping and insurance costs. We will ship in the manner which the buyer desires.

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