Provenance: Marshall D. Krolick Collection

Michael Jacobs. Notes on the Rebel Invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania and the Battle of Gettysburg. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1864. 

12mo. Folding chromolithographic frontispiece map. Original publisher's brown cloth gilt. FIRST EDITION. Sabin 35502. 

Michael Jacobs (1808 - 1871) was professor of mathematics and chemistry at the Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg and was present during the Battle in July 1863. This eyewitness account, enhanced by a color lithographed map showing the Union & Confederate lines from the battle, was one of the earliest printed after the Battle. 

Interestingly, Professor Jacobs served as a weather observer for Adams County in a statewide program initiated by weather forecasting pioneer James Espy. Beginning in April 1840, Jacobs recorded his observations thrice daily, including temperature readings, cloud formations, wind speeds, precipitation measurements, and barometric pressure readings. Even the fury of the battle did not deter Professor Jacobs from his recordings. Though not included in this early account, his dedication to science has given historians a detailed understanding of the weather conditions before, during, and after the battle.

Also of note, this copy is adorned with a 1948 blue 3-cent stamp commemorating the Gettysburg Address on the front free endpaper. A touching reminder of Lincoln's consecration of the Soldiers' Cemetery.

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