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Collection

Agent's Sample Book from Crown Card Co., Ohio, ca. 1890

1 volume

The Agent’s sample book from Crown Card Co., Columbus, Ohio, contains 34 samples of visiting cards accompanied by prices, design names, and instructions for ordering.

The Agent’s sample book from Crown Card Co., Columbus, Ohio, contains 34 samples of visiting cards accompanied by prices, design names, and instructions for ordering. The volume (12.5 x 18 cm) is bound with blue paper and staples. Sample styles range from simple to intricate, with some including beveling, embossing, or silk borders. Most feature chromolithographic color, floral imagery, and animals. Different type settings available to a customer are also advertised.

Collection

Celebrity portraits scrapbook, ca. 1880s

1 volume

The Celebrity portraits scrapbook contains numerous clipped engraved portraits of actors, actresses, singers, musicians, entertainers, politicians, writers, and other famous individuals that were compiled by an aunt of Florence C. Everett (wife of Norwood, Massachusetts-based journalist William Winthrop Everett) during the 1880s.

The Celebrity portraits scrapbook contains numerous clipped engraved portraits of actors, actresses, singers, musicians, entertainers, politicians, writers, and other famous individuals that were compiled by an aunt of Florence C. Everett (wife of Norwood, Massachusetts-based journalist William Winthrop Everett) during the 1880s.

The volume (32 x 19 cm) has brown leather covers (front cover detached) and contains 176 pages, all of which bear pasted-in engravings that were clipped from various newspapers, magazines, journals, advertisements, etc. Two inscriptions are present on the inside of the front cover; one states “This book is the property of W. W. Everett - 76 Winter St. Norwood, Mass.” while the other reads “The book was made by Mrs. W. W. Everett’s aunt Helen, probably in the 1880s. WWE.” The volume appears to have originally served as some type of accounting ledger before being repurposed.

Notable individuals represented within the volume include Joseph Jefferson, Sarah Bernhardt, P. T. Barnum, Lillie Langtry, Genevieve Ward, J. H. Haverly, E. A. Sothern, Sol Smith Russell, Ada Gilman, James H. Wallick, Adelaide Neilson, Buffalo Bill, Mittens Willett, Henry Clay, Susan B. Anthony, Wendell Phillips, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Louis Pasteur.

Collection

Edgar H. Klemroth sketches, 1864

45 pages

Online
Private Edgar H. Klemroth drew this collection of "Very Rough Sketches" while serving in the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment near Winchester, Virginia, during the winter of 1864-1865. The sketches depict soldiers, horses, army camps and headquarters, equipment, African Americans, and winter scenes.

Private Edgar H. Klemroth drew these "Very Rough Sketches" (45 pages) while serving in the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment during General Philip Henry Sheridan's campaign in Shenandoah from August 1864 to March 1865. Klemroth later presented them to Captain Rudulph Ellis of the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry. The materials include pencil sketches, ink drawings, and wash drawings; a few of the pages contain more than one image. The original black leather binding (15.2 x 24.5 cm) is included in the back of Volume 3. Underneath some of the sketches are faint, hand-written lines of poetry pulled from works of various poets. Klemroth's illustrations show a variety of military scenes, including army camps, winter headquarters near Winchester, and wagons and supply trains in the Virginia countryside. Many sketches highlight the hardships of camp life. Soldiers are shown on horseback and at leisure, sometimes eating, talking, or watching equestrian and mule races. Images 26 and 27 feature soldiers firing during a skirmish, and another (image 10) shows a dog mourning over its dead Confederate owner's body. African Americans, including a young boy and men racing on mules, appear in a few of the drawings. Portraits of General Philip Henry Sheridan, General George Custer, Captain Rudulph Ellis, Brigadier General David Allen Russell, First Lieutenant John Spreadbury, and men in Klemroth's regiment (including scouts) are also present. Some of the items are dated November 1864 or December 1864, and some have descriptions of images written on the back.

Collection

Edward H. Suydam Detroit drawings, ca. 1940

2 volumes

This collection comprises of two volumes of original graphite pencil on paper illustrations by Edward H. Suydam for Arthur Pound's Detroit: Dynamic City. The 35 illustrations (37 x 29.5 cm) detail various monuments, parks, streets, and squares throughout Detroit circa 1940.

This collection comprises of two volumes of original graphite pencil on paper illustrations by Edward H. Suydam for Arthur Pound's Detroit: Dynamic City. The 35 illustrations (37 x 29.5 cm) detail various monuments, parks, streets, and squares throughout Detroit circa 1940.

This collection not only contains all the original illustrations for Detroit: Dynamic City, but two additional illustrations never published. The headpiece illustrations are not included in this collection, only the plate illustrations.

All illustrations are in pencil. The frontispiece, "Cadillac Square," also has colored pencil. The first volume contains 17 illustrations and two reproductions found with the originals. The illustrations as titled in Detroit: Dynamic City or on the illustration itself include "Grand Circus Park" (not included in published book), "The Eastern Market," "The Grosse Point Yacht Club," "Capitol Square," "Detroit Skyscrapers," "River Rouge Ford Plant," "The Court House," "The New Library," "Harmonie Square," "Cadillac Square," "Times Square," "The Financial Center-Down Fort Street," "Washington Boulevard," "The Detroit River: The Boat Racecourse," " Detroit Athletic Club," "Industry on the Detroit River: Ambassador Bridge," and "The Casino on Belle Isle."

The second volume contains 18 illustrations and three small copies of illustrations housed at the back. The illustrations as titled in Detroit: Dynamic City or on the illustration itself include "The Detroit Club," "St. Mary's Church," "Fox Creek," "Hulbert Memorial Gate, Old City Waterworks and Park" (correct spelling is Hurlbut), "Down Jefferson Ave," "Cadillac Square" (not included in published book), "The University of Detroit," "Fort Street Church and Union Station," "Automobile Factories on Jefferson Ave," "Grand Boulevard and the General Motors and Fisher Buildings," "Library Square," "The City Hall," "The New Art Museum," "Negro Tenements and Trees of Heaven," "St. Joseph's Church," "Griswold Street and Alley," "The Ambassador Bridge," and "Looking Down Woodward Avenue from Grand Circus Park."

Detroit: Dynamic City was just one of many volumes in a series by D. Appleton-Century Company, titled "Century City Series," covering major U.S. cities. Most, if not all, were illustrated by Edward H. Suydam.

Collection

Finding Aid for Sewing Designs Sample Book, ca. 19th-century

1 volume

The Sewing designs sample book contains 47 hand-stitched design samples made of thread on paper.

The Sewing designs sample book contains 47 hand-stitched design samples made of thread on paper. Designs range from simple to complicated shapes and patterns to fruit, a circular shell, and Native American-inspired objects such as a bow and arrow, a moccasin, a snowshoe, and a canoe. Multiple colors of thread are utilized. The sample book (24 x 28.5 cm) is closed with a string tie.

Collection

Helen Pumphrey sketchbook, 1856

1 volume

Helen Pumphrey's sketchbook contains fourteen pages of calligraphy, illuminated writing, and drawings. Included are poems, hymns, and botanical lists in English, German, and French. Also two pencil sketches of outdoor scenes, and sketches of parts of plants. One drawing is of five styles of architectural columns. The sketchbook contains a bookbinder’s ticket on the front paste-down.

Helen Pumphrey's sketchbook (28 x 44 cm) contains fourteen pages of calligraphy, illuminated writing, and drawings. Included are poems, hymns, and botanical lists in English, German, and French. Also two pencil sketches of outdoor scenes, and sketches of parts of plants. One drawing is of five styles of architectural columns. The sketchbook contains a bookbinder’s ticket on front paste-down.

Collection

John Sunnocks account book and Newbold Hough Trotter sketches, 1792-1801, ca. 1880

1 volume

This collection consists one bound volume including both financial receipts and sketches. The first part the volume contains 38 pages of receipts of payments from John Sunnocks to various people he had transacted business with in the late 18th century. The rest of the volume contains sketches circa 1880, attributed to Newbold Hough Trotter, an American artist known for his work illustrating natural landscapes and animals.

This single bound volume includes both financial receipts and sketches. The first part the volume contains 38 pages of receipts of payments from John Sunnocks to various people he transacted business with in late 18th century Philadelphia. The next approximately 150 pages contain sketches attributed to Newbold Hough Trotter, an American artist known for his work illustrating natural landscapes and animals. The second half of the volume is unused.

It is likely Newbold came into possession of the book through his wife, Ann Trotter. Ann's great-grandfather, William Dawson, was named executor of John Sunnock's estate at the time of his death in 1793. This is noted in some of the last receipts in the volume.

The receipts date from June 20, 1792 to January 31, 1801 and are written by the individual receiving the payment or by John Sunnocks, or someone on behalf of John Sunnocks, and signed by the individual receiving payment. The currency shifts between pounds and dollars, and some receipts are exchanges of said currencies. The receipts vary in specificity. Many relate to his business as a trunk maker, for goods and services such as animal skins, lumber, and freight. Other expenses shown are taxes, rent, and military fines. Some of the more recurring businesses and individuals found in these receipts are as follows: Moses Levy (attorney), John Field & Son (merchants), Andrew Tybout (merchant), Roberts & Twamley (ironmongers), Abbot & Barnes (curriers), David Moffat (sea captain), Daniel Drinker (merchant), and William Watson (sea captain).

The sketches are in pencil and undated. They mostly depict animals, including many images of lions. Other drawings/scenes include profile portraits of men and women, a man hunting, a ship at sea, and a man presenting artwork. A few drawings appear to have been done by a child.

Collection

Lake Superior Scenery, 1865

26 watercolors in 1 volume

Lake Superior Scenery consists of 26 watercolor sketches produced by artist Albert L. Rawson during a steamboat tour of the Great Lakes (primarily Lake Superior) in 1865. The sketches were compiled into a presentation album gifted to Louise C. Ely, a fellow traveler befriended by Rawson during the tour.

Lake Superior Scenery consists of 26 watercolor sketches produced by artist Albert L. Rawson during a steamboat tour of the Great Lakes (primarily Lake Superior) in 1865. The sketches were compiled into a presentation album gifted to Louise C. Ely, a fellow traveler befriended by Rawson during the tour.

The album (27 x 35.5 cm) has full pebbled burgundy Morocco leather covers replete with gilt decoration and blind-stamped ornamentations. The words “Presented to Mrs. Louise C. Ely By ***** ***** A Lake Superior friend,” “Album,” and “Lake Superior Scenery” are gold stamped on the front cover, spine, and back cover respectively. The binder’s ticket of “Dean Smeal & Hoffman Blank Book Manufacturers and Book Binders 148 Lake Street up stairs, Chicago” appears on the inside of the front cover, likely indicating that Rawson traveled through Chicago at some point during the 1865 steamboat tour. A calling card of “Mrs. C. Arthur Ely” is also tipped-in and includes an inscription reading “Elyria, Lake Superior Views in Water Colors.”

The album begins with an inscribed title reading “Lake Superior Scenery. Sketches by: A. L. Rawson. 1865.” Beneath the title inscription there is also a handwritten table of contents that reads:
  • No. 1 Grand Portal Pictured Rocks.
  • 2 Grand Portal, Interior.
  • 3 Miners Castle.
  • 4 Cascade.
  • 5 Cliff, where Steamer Superior was wrecked 1859.
  • 6 Sail Rock and Profile.
  • 7 Wrecker’s Hut.
  • 8 Stranded Fleet.
  • 9 Carp River. Near Marquette.
  • 10 Cascade near Miner’s Castle.
  • 11 [blank] (untitled scene showing railroad tracks, a train with smoke billowing, a river, and a colorful sky)
  • 12 Lake Michigumi. Round Islands.
  • 13 Chapel. From the Water.
  • 14 Chapel and Fall, East.
  • 15 Dead River, near White’s Burnt Mill.
  • 16 Grand Island Harbor.
  • 17 Superior Iron Mine.
  • 18 In the Woods near Chocolat.
  • 19 Fort Mackinac.
  • 20 Washington Harbor - Lake Michigan.
  • 21 Lake Michigami.
  • 22 Marquette from Chocolat.
  • 23 Marquette from the Water.
  • 24 Picnic Point, near Presque Isle.
  • 25 View near Marquette. Partridge Isle, Picnic Point Presque Isle and grand Island in the distance.
  • 26 Chapel, West.

The table of contents accurately lists the relative position of each watercolor within the album except for the first two items (“Grand Portal Pictured Rocks” appears to be located on pg. 2 while “Grand Portal, Interior” is located on pg. 1).

Items of particular interest include:
  • Eight views depicting various formations of The Pictured Rocks such as the Grand Portal, Miners Castle, Sail Rock, Stranded Fleet, and the Chapel.
  • The view titled “The Wrecker’s Hut” (No. 7) showing a man sat near a birch-bark hut erected on Chapel Beach close to the site where the steamer Superior was wrecked in 1856. The view titled “Cliff where Steamer Superior was wrecked 1859” (No. 5) appears to have gotten the year of the wreck wrong.
  • The view titled “Cascade Near Miner’s Castle” (No. 10) showing the steamboat Comet (built 1857 as a cargo vessel before being converted to hold passengers; she sank in 1875 while carrying seventy tons of Montana silver ore, making her the one and only treasure ship of Lake Superior)
  • Several views of scenes near Marquette, Grand Island, and Lake Michigamme.
  • The view titled “Superior Iron Mine” (No. 17) showing a group of miners at work with sledgehammers and horse-drawn carts.
  • The view titled “Washington Harbor, Lake Michigan” (No. 20) showing a docked steamer at Washington Island, Wisconsin.

Collection

Landmarks of the North & South Atlantic, ca. 1830

1 volume

11 pages of watercolors housed in soft cover sketchbook from ca. 1830 drawn by Master William Carr of the Royal Navy. Watercolors depict topographic views of islands and shorelines in the Atlantic Ocean. Almost all views are of rocky island outlines. A few sketches have man-made structures in the scene.

The collection is made up of a soft cover sketchbook containing 11 pages of watercolor topographic views of islands and shorelines in the Atlantic Ocean. Almost all views are of rocky island outlines. A few sketches have man-made structures in the scene. Most sketches have headings for the page and then descriptive sentences about the various views. Cover of sketchbook reads "Landmarks N & S Atlantic by Mr. Wm Carr, Master R.N." Written on the back cover of sketchbook is the London address of a Capt. B.C. Doyle. On the back of two pages are small pencil sketches: one sketch on the back of Page 10 is of a chronometer or watch and the other sketch on the back of Page 11 is of a ship moored in "springs." The last few pages of the journal contain recordings of the latitude and longitude of various places, presumably visited by William Carr while in the service of the Royal Navy.

Collection

Lily Frémont flower album, 1859

1 volume

An album of pressed flowers collected by Lily Frémont in 1859.

The Lily Frémont fllower album is an album of pressed flowers and drawings made by Elizabeth Benton (Lily) Frémont (1842-1919). The album has a brown leather cover with "Album" written in gilt lettering. Frémont made the album in 1859 when her family was living in California at their estate in Mariposa and their home on San Francisco Bay. The first two pages of the album hold drawings, one of a small house surrounded by trees with a large hill behind it, possibly the Frémont home in Mariposa, the other showing a small group of buildings and a smokestack below a large hill, possible a silver mine. The rest of album contains pressed flowers and plants, each is numbered with a written description. Frémont provides the names to some flowers though many are unidentified. She also gives the date and location where each flower was found, and often describes its soil conditions, growing patterns, seasonality, color and odor. There are 80 total specimens in the album.