As previously mentioned in other posts a large number of monuments were mass produced during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many readers might be wondering why this was so. In large part this was a business decision. Given the number of casualties and the number of towns that lost sons, the demand was high.
As the Sears catalogue was the equivalent then of Amazon.com today, it is not surprising that the statues could be ordered through them. There were many models and variations within models, to account for tastes and finances. As so many towns North and South wanted statues for their squares and cemeteries, large statues could be obtained. These variations are demonstrated in the differences between the Coldwater statue and the Middlebury statue.
But what of a still grieving family? Here too the market could be satisfied. Often smaller statues could be ordered, perfect for a private garden, home, or grave.
One other aspect of customization was also available. If photographs of the deceased could be provided, the face of an otherwise generic statue could be custom made to represent the soldier in question.
Until next time
-Corporal
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