Marion, Alabama: The Mobile Br Bank, May 14th 1847. Unbound. This three-page report on the resolution of a debt and mortgage related to “several negroes" is datelined “Marion May 14th 1847 / The Mobile Bank vs John Howie, J.J. Watts & Allen Houston.” The report was sent as a stampless..... More
Perry County, Alabama: January 1, 1860. Unbound. This two-page appraisal measures 7.75” x 12.75”. It bears three horizonal file folds. In nice shape. When evaluated by a panel of four appraisers, the 13 slaves identified in this document were valued between $0 and $1,650 each. Their names were: Bass, Matilda..... More
Perry County, Alabama: 1842. Unbound. One-page manuscript document (7.75” x 9.75”) on the first page of an otherwise blank biolium measuring 15.5” x 9.75 “ unfolded. The document is dated “the 23rd day of November A.D. 1842” and signed by six jurors in addition to the Justice of the Peace/Coroner..... More
From Austinburg, Ohio to Meadville, Pennsylvania: [circa 1855]. This terrific anti-slavery propaganda envelope was "Engraved & Published by J. Valentine, Dundee" on greyish wove paper. On the left, it shows Britannia supported by a lion as the protector of a slave while a banner reading "God Hath Made..... More
Detroit, Michigan: August to October 1861. Envelope or Cover. Three of these five passes measure about 3¼” x 2”. All are printed on yellow cardstock. Two passes are generic and printed for “One soldier Co. ___ Reg’t”. The three other passes required a name to be filled in..... More
Camp near Kenston, North Carolina: 1863. Unbound. This three-page summary of the proceedings of a Confederate Army Court Martial is dated “28th July 1863.” The document is in nice shape. Transcript provided. Images in this listing not included. The proceedings document the trial of Isham Stone, a Private..... More
From Janesville, Wisconsin to Paw Paw, Michigan: 1875. Envelope or Cover. The letter is datelined “Janesville Wis Oct 30 1875”and written on the circus’s illustrated letterhead featuring a portrait of Burr Robbin’s. The advertising envelope features a large illustration of the circus on tour under three big top tents with..... More
Onboard the SS Admiral Rogers, Chatham Sound, Canada (just south of Ketchikan, Alaska): 1923. Envelope or Cover. This foldout postcard measures 11” x 7” when opened into a four-page menu. It is franked with U.S. two-cent Washington stamp (Scott # 554) which has been cancelled by a duplex Seattle &..... More
Steamer “Mt Vernon” Mississippi River: June 7, 1847. Envelope or Cover. Two-page stampless letter datelined Steamer ‘Mt Vernon’ / Mississippi River June 7 1847.” The letter bears a manuscript “Cairo, Ill. June / 8” postmark and a manuscript “10” rate marking. In nice shape. Transcript included. In this..... More
Virginia City, Montana to Richview, Illinois: 1872. Envelope or Cover. This letter is written on official “Territory of Montana. Executive Department” letterhead, dated November 13, 1872. It is accompanied by its official “Executive Department / Montana Territory” mailing envelope which is franked with a three-cent green Washington stamp (Scot #147)..... More
“14 miles from any body”, Wyoming: 1892. Envelope or Cover. Three-page letter on illustrated stagecoach stationery with matching mailing envelope. The letter is dated “At camp 14 miles from any body Wyo., Jan 6th 1892.” The cover is franked with a 2-cent Washington stamp (Scott # 219D) canceled by a...... More
New York Navy Yard to Church Hill, Maryland: 1852. Envelope or Cover. This stampless letter is dated “Navy Yard . New York / May 10. 1852”, franked with a strip of three 1-cent Franklin stamps (Scott #7, Type II - no balls on the bottom scrolls), and cancelled with New..... More
November 6, 1775. Envelope or Cover. This two-page stampless folded letter measures 13” x 8” unfolded. It is datelined “Kent County, November 6th 1775”. It is annotated “p Post” and bears a “G Town” postmark as well as two faint manuscript marks: a Philadelphia “1/s” (one shilling) in the upper..... More
Matanzas, Cuba: 1870. Unbound. This partially-printed contract measures 8.5” x 12” and was completed in manuscript. It is from the “Jurisdiccion de Matanzas” (Matanzas Jurisdiction). The document was patched in the lower right corner before it was used (one of the signatures overlaps the patch). It bears a blue oval..... More
East Cambridge, Massachusetts: 1850. Envelope or Cover. This three-page stampless folded letter measures 15.5” x 9.5” unfolded. It is datelined “East Cambridge July 7th/50”. The front panel bears a circular East Cambridge postmark dated 8 July and a black “5” postal rate handstamp. It was sent by G. Patch to..... More
New York: C. Magnus, [1865]. Envelope or Cover. Large octagonal die-cut sheet that measures about 10¾” x 10¾” when opened. Printed on both sides with 14 birds-eye views of American cities, accompanied by one view of a building from each (Albany, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Louisville, Milwaukee, New York..... More
Philadelphia, Pensylvania: 1828. 1/4 leather. This ciphering book measures 8” x 12.5”. It contains 92 pages of ciphering work. There is also an additional 36 pages of text in a different hand (perhaps by a sister) copied from Timothy Shay Arthur’s Advice to Young Ladies and the American Tract Society’s..... More
New York City: 1809. Unbound. This deed of manumission measures 8” x 9.75”. Slightly toned. Short (.25”) tear on right edge. In nice shape. The document reads: "By Dewitt Clinton Mayor of the City of New York and Pierre C Van Wyck Recorder of the said city. / It..... More
Richmond, Virginia: 1860-1861. Unbound. This unused U. S. postal stationery envelope displays an embossed oval advertisement on the rear flap that reads, "Betts & Gregory / Auctioneers / For the Sale of Negroes / Franklin St. / Richmond, Va." The buff-colored envelope with the double-line POD/US watermark (Scott..... More
New Haven, Connecticutt: Connecticut Temperance Society (Hitchcock & Stafford, Printers), July 4th, 1842. Unbound. This bi-fold, partially-printed certificate and song sheet measures approximately 15” x 9” unfolded. The front cover features a youth’s temperance pledge (completed in manuscript) beneath an illustration titled “Cold Water Army, which is surrounded by a...... More
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: 1872-1873. Unbound. Both partially-printed certificates measure 15.5” x 21”. They are printed on heavy, stiff paper (almost like a faux parchment). Both are in nice shape with storage folds. The 1872 certificate records the sale of the Benwood from Joseph Davey (perhaps Joseph Davy, an early..... More
Washington, DC: Stereotyped by M’Gill & Witherow. [Perhaps published by Philip & Solomons], 1867. Original wraps. Approximately 6” x 9.25”. Original string-bound self-wraps with iv introductory pages, 262 text pages, and [2] pages of advertisements. Uncut (i.e. untrimmed, not unopened), so a little worn at the edges. “Much..... More
Fort Laramie, Nebraska Territory (now Wyoming): 1853. Envelope or Cover. Light but legible circular postmark dated July 15 and a “5” rate mark, both in black. (July 15 is the first know use of this postmark per the ASCC, Vol. 1, p. 450.) Addressed to James & Hugh McIlvain in..... More
Belmont Farm, Leesburg, Virginia: 1900-1915. This archive is of items related to Ferguson and his family. It consists of An unframed 1860 debating team oval plaque is 12” x 14”. It is titled “Addisonian Contestants March 8, 1860 / Allegheny City College” and filled with calligraphic scrollwork. Each..... More
Boston: Eastburn’s Press, 1841. Unbound. This playbill broadside measures 7.5” x 17.5”. In nice shape with some light soiling and toning. The “Jan’y 22d, 1841” playbill advertises “Shaksperean Week!” at the Tremont Theatre in Boston, featuring “Mr. Vandenhoff’s Benefit, and Positively his Last Appearance” as well as Miss Vandenhoff for..... More
