“SGT. SAMUEL D. CHAPMAN, CSA” by Samson Pollen (1931–2018), 1992 offset lithograph 13×17″, signed & numbered AP 49/100, Confederate portrait.
“SGT. SAMUEL D. CHAPMAN, CSA” is a signed Artist Proof offset lithograph by Samson Pollen portraying a Confederate soldier with rifle and revolver, rendered in Pollen’s polished narrative style.
Artwork Description
SGT. SAMUEL D. CHAPMAN, CSA is a 1992 limited edition offset lithograph by American illustrator Samson Pollen (1931–2018). Measuring 13 × 17 inches, the print is signed and marked AP 49/100 in pencil. The composition depicts a Confederate sergeant in three-quarter profile, his rifle resting across his shoulder, revolver holstered at his side, and set against a Confederate battle flag rendered in softened, painterly tones.
As with Pollen’s companion Civil War works, the figure is idealized yet grounded, embodying resolve, competence, and quiet tension. The artist’s signature approach—smooth modeling, controlled color transitions, and strong anatomical realism—places the image firmly within the tradition of late-20th-century American narrative illustration.
Produced by offset lithography, the edition captures the clarity and tonal richness of Pollen’s original painting while remaining accessible to collectors. The paper shows foxing consistent with age, a common condition issue for offset prints of this era and noted accordingly for transparency.
Artist Biography – Samson Pollen (1931–2018)
Samson Pollen was an American illustrator and painter celebrated for his contributions to pulp fiction, historical illustration, and narrative portraiture. Born in 1931 and based in New York, Pollen worked with leading authors including Mario Puzo, Norman Mailer, and Richard Wright, bringing literary drama to life through powerful figurative imagery.
Often compared to James Bama, Pollen’s work is distinguished by its polished surfaces, strong male archetypes, and cinematic storytelling. He frequently worked from live models, most notably Steve Holland, while occasionally drawing upon his wife Jacqueline as a model for unexpected roles. His art appeared in respected publications such as Artforum, Illustration, and Intelligent Collector.
Pollen viewed illustration as a form of visual storytelling, famously noting that writers tell stories with words while he told them with paint—an ethos clearly visible in his historical soldier portraits.
Samson Pollen SGT. SAMUEL D. CHAPMAN, CSA, 1992 offset lithograph, signed & numbered Artist Proof AP 49/100, 13×17″, Civil War Confederate portrait.
Certificate of Value & Authentication
This certifies that SGT. SAMUEL D. CHAPMAN, CSA is an authentic 1992 offset lithograph by Samson Pollen (1931–2018). The work is signed by the artist and designated AP 49/100. Edition format, signature placement, and production details align with documented Pollen releases. Foxing present and disclosed.
Provenance Chain for Collectors
Private Collection → Mitch Morse Gallery, New York, NY → Artfind Gallery, Washington DC (Current Owner)
Condition Note
Vintage offset lithograph with visible foxing; image clarity strong; artist signature and AP notation intact.
“SGT. SAMUEL D. CHAPMAN, CSA” by Samson Pollen (1931–2018), 1992 offset lithograph 13×17″, signed & numbered AP 49/100, Confederate portrait.
“SGT. SAMUEL D. CHAPMAN, CSA” is a signed Artist Proof offset lithograph by Samson Pollen portraying a Confederate soldier with rifle and revolver, rendered in Pollen’s polished narrative style.
Artwork Description
SGT. SAMUEL D. CHAPMAN, CSA is a 1992 limited edition offset lithograph by American illustrator Samson Pollen (1931–2018). Measuring 13 × 17 inches, the print is signed and marked AP 49/100 in pencil. The composition depicts a Confederate sergeant in three-quarter profile, his rifle resting across his shoulder, revolver holstered at his side, and set against a Confederate battle flag rendered in softened, painterly tones.
As with Pollen’s companion Civil War works, the figure is idealized yet grounded, embodying resolve, competence, and quiet tension. The artist’s signature approach—smooth modeling, controlled color transitions, and strong anatomical realism—places the image firmly within the tradition of late-20th-century American narrative illustration.
Produced by offset lithography, the edition captures the clarity and tonal richness of Pollen’s original painting while remaining accessible to collectors. The paper shows foxing consistent with age, a common condition issue for offset prints of this era and noted accordingly for transparency.
Artist Biography – Samson Pollen (1931–2018)
Samson Pollen was an American illustrator and painter celebrated for his contributions to pulp fiction, historical illustration, and narrative portraiture. Born in 1931 and based in New York, Pollen worked with leading authors including Mario Puzo, Norman Mailer, and Richard Wright, bringing literary drama to life through powerful figurative imagery.
Often compared to James Bama, Pollen’s work is distinguished by its polished surfaces, strong male archetypes, and cinematic storytelling. He frequently worked from live models, most notably Steve Holland, while occasionally drawing upon his wife Jacqueline as a model for unexpected roles. His art appeared in respected publications such as Artforum, Illustration, and Intelligent Collector.
Pollen viewed illustration as a form of visual storytelling, famously noting that writers tell stories with words while he told them with paint—an ethos clearly visible in his historical soldier portraits.
Samson Pollen SGT. SAMUEL D. CHAPMAN, CSA, 1992 offset lithograph, signed & numbered Artist Proof AP 49/100, 13×17″, Civil War Confederate portrait.
Certificate of Value & Authentication
This certifies that SGT. SAMUEL D. CHAPMAN, CSA is an authentic 1992 offset lithograph by Samson Pollen (1931–2018). The work is signed by the artist and designated AP 49/100. Edition format, signature placement, and production details align with documented Pollen releases. Foxing present and disclosed.
Provenance Chain for Collectors
Private Collection → Mitch Morse Gallery, New York, NY → Artfind Gallery, Washington DC (Current Owner)
Condition Note
Vintage offset lithograph with visible foxing; image clarity strong; artist signature and AP notation intact.
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