G.A.R. Presentation Print -“The Old Canteen” & signed! Oakland, CA 1886

Description

One of the common threads that seems to run through the comradery of the G.A. R. membership, is the canteen, certainly an iconic symbol of that Civil War period.
This print shows the canteen hanging with the strap hung under the membership badge.  The center of the badge, has been replaced with a vignette of Oakland, and San Francisco.
Entitled “The Old Canteen” the print welcomes comrades to Oakland Day, 20th N.E. G.A.R.  ( I assume that N.E. may be north east?), and the meeting date was August 9, 1886.
The gilt framing has had some damage to the gesso work, and the print was relegated in a area where the elements were not so kind. Water staining has affected the upper edge of the print and left stains. There is some paper chipping along the edge on the right side, and it appears that the print was laid down on the wood in the period when framed. Other minor discoloration from acid coming from the wood backing.
I can forgive all that because of the great history here.  This happens to be a presentation copy, given from one veteran of the 2nd Illinois Cavalry (actually both from the same Company C.)  to another.  From top to bottom it reads in period ink,  “Sam old boy, Shake! Yours in F. C. & L. (Fraternity, Charity, & Loyalty); I have had this too long myself old boy…It is dry!…Presented to Sam’l F. North, Co.C. 2nd Ill. Cav….Wm. Loudon, Co.C. 2nd Ill. Cav….(the next is hard to read totally but is an address)   Address to (something) St. Oakland, California.”
Loudon was listed in the rolls of the regiment spelled as “Louden.”
These two old friends served nearly every day from looking at their records on line, from 1861 until discharged in 1865; oh yes, there was a re-enlistment as well in ’64.  The regiment has a good history having served in the western theater of the war, including the Vicksburg campaign.
The damage does not detract from the appearance at all.  A great item.
Size is 21” x 10.5” approx.