205F

APPEAL TO THE GREAT SPIRITS #1818/2800

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:10.00 USD Estimated At:NA
APPEAL TO THE GREAT SPIRITS #1818/2800
BIDDING STARS SOON!
Approx $250,000 Collection (Original Purchase price per the family. Purchased for an investment )
STILL PROCESSING SALES LOTS. TOTAL PCS OVER 150 :
FROM THE ESTATE OF MR. & MRS. WILLIAM DOYLE
FRANCIS BARNUM SCULPTURES RARE & LIMITED EDITION / 150 PCS PLUS
CIVIL WAR , OLD WEST , WILDLIFE . All MADE IN AMERICA OF THE FINEST PEWTER AND AMERICAN CRAFTSMANSHIP. ALL SIGNED BY FRANCIS BARNUM
APPEAL TO THE GREAT SPIRITS #1818/2800
APPROX. 7" BY 8"
APPROX. 3.16 LBS
AUTHENTIC SCULPTURE BY FRANCIS BARNUM
SOLID PEWTER. WOOD BASE, HIGH QUALITY AMERICAN CRAFTSMANSHIP

The sculpture “Appeal to the Great Spirits” by Francis Barnum (often listed in collectible catalogs as Appeal to the Great Spirits or similar variations) is a limited-edition Civil War–themed sculpture that focuses on spiritual reflection, emotion, and survival rather than combat.

Even though the name is similar to the famous sculpture Appeal to the Great Spirit by Cyrus Dallin, Barnum’s version is part of his Civil War collectible series and uses the idea of “appealing to the spirits” in a more symbolic, wartime context.

Historical idea behind the sculpture

The theme comes from the belief systems and emotional experiences of soldiers during the Civil War. Many soldiers—both Union and Confederate—were deeply religious or spiritually reflective, especially during:

long marches,
major battles,
and moments of extreme hardship.

Soldiers often wrote in letters or diaries about:

praying before battle,
asking God for protection,
and reflecting on death and survival.

The phrase “appeal to the spirits” reflects this idea of seeking guidance, hope, or protection during war.

What the sculpture represents

Francis Barnum’s sculpture typically symbolizes:

a soldier in a moment of reflection or prayer
emotional exhaustion from war
hope or faith in survival
a pause between combat and suffering

Instead of showing action or violence, it focuses on a quiet, spiritual moment within the Civil War experience.

Historical context

During the Civil War (1861–1865), soldiers frequently experienced:

extreme fear before battles like Gettysburg or Antietam
reliance on prayer and faith for emotional strength
uncertainty about survival in a war with massive casualties

Many regiments even held prayer services before entering combat, and chaplains were commonly attached to both Union and Confederate units.

This spiritual reliance is what Barnum’s sculpture is drawing from.

Meaning in Barnum’s work

This piece fits into Barnum’s broader style of Civil War storytelling by focusing on:

emotion instead of action
reflection instead of combat
the human experience of soldiers
the psychological and spiritual toll of war

It contrasts strongly with his more dramatic battlefield sculptures like Saving the Colors or Zouaves at First Manassas.

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