(ALASKA - GOLD RUSH MINING) J. B. Wingate, Editor and Manager
A “newspaper extra” whose sole function is as promotional literature to bring new prospectors, money, speculators, and investors to Rampart Alaska. The front page broadcasts such article headers as “Richer Than Ever” and “Bench Diggings” and “Paystreak is Located” to entice would-be miners. Such individuals are assured that Rampart has been poorly prospected and has plenty of opportunity left for those willing to work hard. The additional three pages carry the themes of such “newsworthy” articles for good... continue to full description...
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(AMERICAN PUBLISHERS AND BOOKSELLERS) [Reformed Church Publication Board]
This 1897–1904 manuscript account book is attributed to the Philadelphia Synod of the Reformed Church in America based upon church historian James Isaac Good’s description of the transition of the Church’s publication board the Philadelphia branch at this juncture. The account book records hundreds of church-published books, pamphlets, booklets, periodicals, and printed ephemera: bible history,... continue to full description...
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(ARCHITECTURE - SCULPTORS) H.K. Bush-Brown
Bush-Brown writes to Church advising him that he will receive an invitation to speak at the Architectural League’s meeting to discuss the proposed “Temple to Liberty” i.e. “The Temple to Liberty suggested should be also a historical museum and monument and I believe may be used as a motive for visiting all of the patriotic societies in one building with the purpose of having it used... continue to full description...
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(BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - RYE WHISKEY DISTILLERS) Edwin Walters, Distiller
Edwin Walters, (1834–1897) established the Orient Distillery in 1866. This trade card shows an excellent engraved view; possibly a heretofore unknown illustration of the factory. The detail of the scene is superb and one sees horse-drawn carriages of immense kegs, warehouses, and numerous outbuildings; an enormous operation. The front of the card lists E. Eising & Co. of New York City as the sole agents for the Orient Distillery. The verso of the card advertises... continue to full description...
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(BOOKSELLERS AND BOOKSELLING) Cook, Russell S., 1811-1864. Cook, Russell S., 1811-1864.
This 1844 circular effort reports upon the success of colporteurs (in this instance “in the Western states”) but it includes the lengthy narrative concerning one colporteur in... continue to full description...
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(CHILDREN’S BOOKS - ILLUSTRATED) [J. G. Sowerby, et. al]
By default, this item is a children's book with typical Victorian verse, but the illustrations, with subtlety, incorporate a fair amount of the silver plate ware that Wilcox might have sold to its customers. The interior covers are illustrated with four superb engravings of silver plate products manufactured by Wilcox: a tilting water set; a hammered fruit bowl; a cat and bird napkin ring; a pepper box. It is interesting to note that one of the poems is titled, “Millicent,”... continue to full description...
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(EXHIBITIONS – UNITED STATES CENTENNIAL) Geo[rge] W. Ely
The diarist records his impressions of a ten-day trip from Wilbraham, Massachusetts via Hartford and New York City, to Philadelphia to visit the Centennial Exhibition. Ely visited Girard College and Eastern Penitentiary there, but most of the diary records his impressions of the exhibition. Here is a sample: “Dog running cider mill, Mammoth Grape vine, French Pickles and... continue to full description...
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(IMPRESSIONIST PAINTERS) Edward Willis Redfield (1869-1965)
A handwritten letter from, and on the letterhead of, American Impressionist landscape painter Edward W. Redfield, a significant member of the New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania art colony. Redfield’s letter describes an invitation he is responding to from a Miss Dunham. She was a local elementary school teacher, and she had invited Redfield to visit her class. Redfield replies that it would be a frightening experience were he to speak in front of her... continue to full description...
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(LAW – CIVIL WAR – ASSOCIATION COPIES) JOANNA BAILLIE [ALBERT PIKE ; HIRAM SCOFIELD]
An interesting association copy between two Civil War generals –one Confederate, one Union– who were each also schoolteachers and lawyers. Albert Pike, lawyer, Confederate General, and Freemason, kept this volume of poetry and it bears his ownership. The book also contains an autobiographical inscription by Hiram Scofield, a law student of Pike’s and a future Union general. Pike’s ink signature and the date July 10, 1867... continue to full description...
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(LOUISIANA - ARCHITECTURE) [Thomas Sully, architect]
This original photograph shows the New St. Charles Hotel in New Orleans, circa the 1900’s, on a bright, sunlit day. When studied with care, a variety of details emerge. The study of architecture per the building’s facade is notable. Advertisements on buildings, painted and/or signs, show marketing for the hotel, J. C. Littlepage Paints, chewing tobacco, Pond’s Extract, furnished rooms available at The Occidental, a drug store, etc. The... continue to full description...
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(MARYLAND – GOVERNORS – TOBACCO CULTURE) William Smallwood
William Smallwood (1732–1792) had a lengthy role in 18th century America. An officer during the French and Indian War, he went on to garner accolades for his military service during the American Revolution. Smallwood served under Washington in the Philadelphia campaign and fought in the Southern theater. His brigade’s actions at Camden, South Carolina earned Smallwood a promotion to Major General. Smallwood... continue to full description...
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(MARYLAND – GOVERNORS – TOBACCO CULTURE) Thomas Sim Lee
Thomas Sim Lee Smallwood (1745–1819) was an American planter who served as Maryland’s governor, on separate occasions, from 1779–1782 and from 1792–1794. It has been observed that although Lee did not become a signatory on America’s founding documents, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, or the Constitution, he played an active role in shaping their final presentation. In other public office roles, he served in the... continue to full description...
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(MARYLAND – GOVERNORS – TOBACCO CULTURE) John Henry
A Princeton graduate and lawyer, John Henry (1750–1798) served as a delegate from the Continental Congress from 1778–1780 and 1785–1786. He served as one of the first United States senators from Maryland and he later served as Maryland’s eighth governor. A Federalist, Henry has the interesting distinction of receiving two electoral votes for the office of President of the United States in the 1796 election. In this letter, Henry asks... continue to full description...
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(MARYLAND – GOVERNORS) Robert Wright
A Princeton graduate and lawyer, John Henry (1750–1798) served as a delegate from the Continental Congress from 1778–1780 and 1785–1786. He served as one of the first United States senators from Maryland and he later served as Maryland’s eighth governor. A Federalist, Henry has the interesting distinction of receiving two electoral votes for the office of President of the United States in the 1796 election. An interesting brief letter with its... continue to full description...
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(MENDICANTS APPEAL – PHILADELPHIA) [Moses Tittle]
Moses Tittle was a Philadelphia shoemaker who hurt his wrist in an accident to the extent that he could no longer pursue his trade. Here, in fourteen lines, he asks the trustees of the [Stephen] Girard Estate of Philadelphia to consider giving him gainful employment. The petition is autographed by a number of the usual Philadelphia merchants and charitable-minded gentlemen whose names are often found attached to such documents. Most notably... continue to full description...
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(MINIATURES) [N. Broughton, Jr.]
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(MISSISSIPPI - FEMALE EDUCATORS - SOUTHERN BAPTISTS) Adelia M. Simmons
Photograph of Clinton, Mississippi female educator Adelia Thompson Hillman, inscribed to verso, thus: “Adelia M. [sic] Hillman. Clinton, Hinds County. Miss. June 30, 1872.” (The photograph’s date may be significant of a commencement event.) Adelia T. Hillman was an educator of Central Female Institute in Clinton, Mississippi. Her husband, Dr. Walter Hillman, served as president of CFI and also as president of... continue to full description...
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(MIXOLOGY) Jerry Thomas
A classic bartender’s guide. “Professor” Thomas, mixologist extraordinaire, the “Father of Mixology,” who ruled the saloons of New York City. Thomas updated and revised his guides continually as he found new drinks and modified others.... continue to full description...
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(NAVAL HISTORY - GREAT BRITAIN) Sir Edward James Foote (1767–1833)
Sir Edward James Foote (1767–1833), naval officer. In June 1799 Foote, the senior officer of the British blockading squadron in the Bay of Naples, signed the capitulation agreement of the forts Uovo and Nuovo. Sir Horatio Nelson... continue to full description...
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(PEDDLERS - MANUSCRIPT TRAVEL AND ACCOUNTS) [Edward Corwin Jr.]
A peddler’s interesting account of his business travels which take him through Pennsylvania, Shenandoah Valley, and North Carolina. Corwin left on September 7, 1832 from Sergeant township, McKean County, Pennsylvania. His entries are typically single or double-line entries,... continue to full description...
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(TRADE CARDS - STREET LIFE IN BROOKLYN)
The themes represented in the images on these cards include baseball, domestic life, and urban life. However, the actual humor in the illustrations derives from word play upon these themes that touch upon subjects such as infidelity, insobriety and public vomiting, the police, and the gritty side of street life. Images on the trade cards include a husband trifling with a servant, a dog attacking a man in the street, a wife beating her husband, drunkards being chased or carted away by the... continue to full description...
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(TRADE CATALOGS – PRINTING – LETTERFORMS – STENCILS) Stafford Manufacturing Co.
The advertising pieces in this lot from the Stafford Manufacturing Company of New York are variously dated from June 1871 to January 1872 and offer to sell brass lettering and numbering stencils, ornamental marking initials, steel stencil and stamping dies, and brass key checks and tags. The company also supplied indelible inks, stencil brushes, and stencil... continue to full description...
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(VIRGINIA - MARYLAND - COAL MINING) Nicolls, William Jasper, 1854-1916.
The George’s Creek Coal region extended from Maryland into Virginia. This is a promotional pamphlet handed out gratis, to customers of L. G. Burnham and Co., of Boston. The story of the coal region is illustrated and described. A modest, but attractive production.... continue to full description...
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(WILDEANA - BINDINGS) [Natalie Clifford Barney : Editor/Compiler]
“With Dolly Wilde a certain quality of laughter—of Wildean laughter—has gone out of our world.” (Introduction, p[7]) Thus begins this volume of memorial tributes made to Dorothy Ierne Wilde by her friends ten years after her death. Dolly Wilde (1895–1941) was the niece of Irish writer and poet, Oscar Wilde. Dolly’s father was Oscar’s older brother, Willie. Dolly herself was a writer, but is best regarded as a translator and letter writer. This memorial volume reprints some of her letters... continue to full description...
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(WISCONSIN - CHEESE MANUFACTURING - INVENTORS) J. Wilkinson
Wilkinson’s invention was a means of cooling dairy products. Here, identifying himself as a native of Harvard, Illinois, he explains his system. The front wrapper notes Wilkinson was awarded the silver medal in 1874 by the Chester County Agricultural Association of Pennsylvania for “the best Essay on Dairy husbandry, and the best plan of a Milk... continue to full description...
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[TOBACCIANA - CIGARS - FOLK ART - PHOTOGRAPHICA] Gustave Schleuter [cigar dealer]
A very intriguing trade card for cigar dealer, the “sole agent” of Mephisto cigars. The photograph shows a cloth covered table. In front hangs Schlueter’s large trade sign. Standing on a wooden cigar box is a large statue of a cape-wearing Mephisto with arms crossed, a knife on his side hanging from a leather belt. (A rather interesting folk art variation upon the wooden cigar Indian.) On either... continue to full description...
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