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The Ira J. Patch letter book contains letters that Patch wrote about his interest in collecting and trading autograph documents and signatures by prominent American politicians. Patch discussed possible trades with fellow collectors, provided lists of material he wished to acquire, and expressed his desire to receive copies of publications regarding the history of Massachusetts.

The Ira J. Patch letter book (56 pages) contains around 45 letters that Patch wrote from March 24, 1856-February 5, 1857, about his interest in collecting and trading autograph documents and signatures by prominent American politicians. He discussed possible trades with fellow collectors, provided lists of material he wished to acquire, and expressed his desire to receive copies of publications regarding the history of Massachusetts.

Patch most frequently wrote to fellow autograph collectors, sometimes providing lists of famous individuals whose autographs he desired and those which he was willing to send in return. He often discussed specific trades and provided names of other collectors. Patch's letter to Lewis J. Cist of St. Louis, Missouri, dated March 28, 1856, lists United States presidents, vice presidents, cabinet secretaries, attorneys general, and postmasters general, as well as signers of the Declaration of Independence. In other letters, Patch referred to his interest in collecting signatures from governors of Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island. He explained his attempt to focus on specific subjects, and also mentioned some areas that he did not collect in, such as Revolutionary War generals' manuscripts and paper money. On at least two occasions, Patch purchased items by British monarchs.

Patch sometimes wrote to publishing firms about his desire to obtain copies of publications such as the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, the Records of Massachusetts, and the History of Boston. Two letters to his uncle, Alvah C. Smith of Cambridgeport, Massachusetts, pertain to transactions with Smith's acquaintance "Mr. Morse"; Patch shared his initial displeasure and subsequent satisfaction with the items that Morse offered (April 14, 1856, and April 17, 1856). Patch wrote letters to former Massachusetts governors Marcus Morton and George S. Boutwell on May 8, 1856, requesting the names of council members who had served during their administrations; he later thanked Morton for his prompt response (May 14, 1856). One personal letter from Patch to a friend concerns the Know-Nothing Party, the 1856 presidential election, and Patch's pride in voting for John C. Frémont and "liberty" (July 17, 1856).

The Martha Leach Packard commonplace book contains inscriptions, correspondence, autographs, and ephemera that Packard collected from the 1850s to 1890s. Inscriptions and autographs are written directly into the volume; additional items are pasted or laid in. The volume represents prominent individuals such as politicians and academics, as well as Packard's personal acquaintances.

The Martha Leach Packard commonplace book (200 pages) contains inscriptions, correspondence, autographs, and ephemera that Packard collected from the 1850s to 1890s. Packard used about half of the pages; additional items are laid into the volume.

Most inscriptions and autographs are written directly into the volume, and many are dated at Poughkeepsie, New York. Most entries are dated from the 1850s-1890s, though some letters pasted into the book are dated as early as 1837. Prominent individuals such as politicians, artists, and writers contributed autographs (see list below), and historian Benson J. Lossing provided a personal inscription (p. 39). Packard's other contributors included academics and personal acquaintances, 5 of whom mentioned participating in the Civil War (pp. 77, 145).

Laid-in letters include items by famous persons and personal correspondence to Martha Leach Packard and E. W. Packard. The volume also includes visiting cards, a menu from a dinner at the Stevens House (p. 157), a lock of hair (p. 178), and a swatch of fabric (p. 198). The album was originally published with printed illustrations, mainly portraits of women; some later pages contain cut-out colored illustrations of flowers.

• Benson J. Lossing (inscription, p. 39; letter, p. 200)
• John Jay Hyde (inscription, p. 41; calling card, front endpaper)
• Henry P. Tappan (autograph, p. 45)
• Thomas Nast (autograph on card, p. 61)
• Samuel F. B. Morse (autograph, p. 97)
• William W. Belknap (autograph, p. 99)
• Henry Clay (autograph, p. 115)
• Lydia Huntley Sigourney (autograph, p. 115)
• DeWitt Clinton (autograph, p. 115)
• Francis Napier (letter, p. 193)
• P. T. Barnum (autograph, back endpaper)

This album contains autograph manuscripts and signatures of famous American politicians, military figures, authors, artists, actors, and religious figures, begun by Boston resident "Mrs. Russell" in 1859. A small number of contributors wrote directly into the volume, which also includes pasted-in letters, documents, poetry, excerpts, and signatures.

This album (145 pages) contains autograph manuscripts and signatures of famous American politicians, military figures, authors, artists, actors, and religious figures, begun by Boston resident "Mrs. Russell" in 1859. The first few pages include notes and signatures written directly into the volume, mostly dated at Boston in 1859. The majority of the album consists of pasted-in letters, poems, fragments, and standalone signatures written as early as 1759 and as late as 1920; 3 items from 1912, 1917, and 1920 are addressed to James C. McCabe of Bay City, Michigan. The correspondence refers to politics and current events, the memory of George Washington, and other subjects. One letter from Maria Mitchell to "My Dear Emily" assured the recipient that she had consulted the stars for auspicious signs (p. 100). The contributions from John Quincy Adams and James Madison are unsigned handwriting samples. The album includes a financial document signed by Jenny Lind regarding the distribution of proceeds from a charity performance (p. 6). A small number of materials are accompanied by clippings containing biographical information about the contributors. A complete index is available in the Manuscripts Division.