Customer Reviews

The Civil War Collection

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I purchased this collection of replica Civil War artifacts on a whim and have to say that it was one of the better purchasing decisions I've made in a while.

While replicas like these obviously don't recreate a time period, they can help in conveying an understanding of what life was like at that time. I've used replica materials like this in the classroom before and am convinced of their educational value. With that in mind, I'm looking forward to using "The Civil War Collection" very soon.

This fascinating set contains a color copy of the "Charles Stokes & Co.'s Almanac for 1863," a small clothing catalogue; an interesting reproduction of a Slave insurance policy; copies of a couple of letters, including a military pardon issued by Lincoln just hours before his assassination; a couple of copies of Confederate currency; and a few other items. There are even a number of stereo photographs (the 19th century equivalent to the old "View Master" toy) and a small viewer to use them with. Finally, there is a small book, which puts all of these materials into context.

I think anyone with an interest in the Civil War, whether they are a novice, enthusiast, or educator, will like this product. I definitely do!

This is a lot of fun! This is such a great collection of Civil War memorabilia. It is so much more rewarding to actually handle the Confecerate Currancy than to merely look at a photograph of the same. I particularly enjoyed the touching letter home and lists of needed supplies. The accompanying book nicely explains the significance of each item. I thought that the 3-d glasses and holder were a little tricky to use, but enjoyed it nonetheless.

As a teacher of American history, it was wonderful to see how my 8th grade students responded with great enthusiasm to these primary documents. This great set is an extremely valuable teaching tool!

I received The Civil War Collection as a gift and have just loved everyhting about it. I've also got Zeller's two albums dedicated to stereoscopic views, called The Civil War In Depth I & II. While the latter reflect his fascination with stereophotography of the war, The Civil War Collection is perhaps the most "hands-on" Civil War subject matter I've seen. It contains some stereophtographs and a viewer, but it also has so much more! It's got Robert E. Lee's letter announcing the death of Stonewall Jackson, an insurance policy taken out by an owner on his slave, and the first full-color clothing catalog.

The fact that you can take the items out and hand them around allows you to bring the Civil War home to a classroom or to your family like no book ever could.

If you know someone who teaches American History or someone who's a Civil War buff, buy them the Civil War Collection. You can't go wrong!

I bought this item as a gift for Civil War buff--a retired gentleman living in a senior-citizen assisted living center. He loved it! In fact, he decided to bring it to the seniors discussion group, and, ordered a second copy so he would have two copies of each item to pass around the crowd. I examined the materials and found them fascinating. Author Zeller had a great idea! --Bob Kavin

I picked this up a few years ago with money I'd gotten for my birthday and have been quite pleased with it. When I got it it came with a wrap around that proclaimed "You hold in your hands a museum in a box." Let me tell you, that description couldn't be more true. Mr. Zeller brought together a variety of Civil War era items and placed reproductions into the box. Sterotype photos (for those who don't know about sterotypes think early 3D photos as their the same image side by side but viewed through a sterotype viewer the images combine to form a 3D effect) complete with viewer, a life insurance policy on a slave, a letter from a dieing man to his father (complete with bloodstains), a men's clothing catolog (way different than catalogs today), these are just some of the things you get in the box. It certainly wouldn't be a huge museum, more like a small town's town history museum. But it is still items you might find if you visit a museum.

This set is really intresting. Besides being able to merely examine the items collected in the set, Mr. Zeller also produced a guide book that gives you a little info on each item. So you are apt to learn something from the collection. But whether you're looking to learn anything from the collection or just admire the reproduction artifacts, this collection is one that is easy to enjoy and worth having in your own collection.

In addition to this collection I also have collection Mr. Zeller was involved with "The World War II Collection: America at War." Just like this one, it's another museum in a box, and something worth getting to go with this one. Both are among my treasured items in my collection of history books and other items.