The Red Badge of Courage

The Red Badge of Courage

Portrait of Company G., the 93rd New York Infantry, Bealton VA, August 1863 (detail)

Stephen Crane's short book has long been held as one of the classic American novels, and - despite being 'banned' in some school districts for depictions of violence and perceived anti-war sentiment - a staple of middle school English curricula. Since it was first published in 1895, it has gone through thousands of editions and translations, and hundreds of covers. Of those covers that are photographic, this one, published by W.W. Norton in 1976, is fairly common.
The image, printed in blood red, of course, is a detail from a portrait by Timothy O'Sullivan, made sometime between August and November 1863, of Union Army Company G., 93rd New York Infantry, in Bealton Virginia.

To view the book's photographic cover detail overlayed on O'Sullivan's original image, as well as the original without overlay, scroll down and click on "Multiple Views".

The original photo may be found in the collection of the Library of Congress. Click here to view.