Invented by Army Captain because of Necessity

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004

…The inventor is a late Captain in the Army and was led to the development of his idea by the necessities of his own case. He made a similar stove while in service out of materials he could pick up from the debris of camps and his servant carried it for him on various marches…we say to the soldiers, try it !...so little weight as to be carried in the soldiers knapsack… are some of the testimonials on the lower section of this unique, circa 1863, boldly printed broadside. 8 x 11 (blank reverse). Bold headlines "NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION !...HOPE'S KNAPSACK STOVE…ATTENTION SOLDIERS ! SOMETHING ENTIRELY NEW. A STOVE YOU CAN CARRY ON YOUR KNAPSACK! AN OFFICER CAN CARRY ONE IN HIS VALISE !" With illustration of the unique sheet metal stove and chimney designed to use over a trench dug in the ground. Gives description of the unique device weighing only about 2 pounds (or 7 pounds with the stove pipe). Describes its five "chief advantages" including how it may "…be taken on picket, the commanding general offering no objections as it shows no light to the enemy…consumes but little wood…impossibility of getting out of order…cheaper than any camp stove yet invented…" Patented by J. Hope in 1863 with address where it may be purchased in Washington, D.C. as well as two other dealers names. Light aging. Few minor tiny nicks on extreme edge of blank margin, but exc. and better. A very rare broadside and certainly a unique Civil War soldiers device for camp and field use.

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