Redwood City, California: October 15, 1940. Unbound. This typed letter, dated 17 October 1940 and signed by a prominent Issei member of California’s Japanese-American community presents a 2’ x 4’ silk U.S. flag to an unnamed person, presumably a government official or journalist. Both are in nice shape; the display... More about A flag and letter presented to an official or journalist by a California Issei who would later be...

New York for the Lynchburg, Virginia branch: 1878. Unbound. This Freedman’s bank check was made payable to George Burch for “Twenty-seven Cents” and signed by two of the company’s commissioners, Robert Purvis and John A. J Creswell. It is uncanceled, unpunched, and uncashed with a manuscript endorsement on the reverse..... More about A used, but uncancelled, dividend check from the Office of the Commissioners of the Freedman’s...

Bridgewater, New Hampshire: 1846. Unbound. This partially printed document summarizes the vote taken “at a legal town meeting . . . at Bridgewater in the county of Grafton on Tuesday, march tenth, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty-six . . . for one person to represent... More about A “true copy” of votes cast at a New Hampshire town meeting for a Congressional...

New York: McLoughlin Bros, circa 1875. Box. This set contains two puzzles (each with all their pieces) and the box. The box measures approximately 8.75” by 10.5”. Each puzzle measures about 9” x 10.5”. One puzzle depicts an African-American cakewalk dancer in drag with bonnet, cape, and parasol. The other... More about Chopped Up Niggers: Puzzles to Put Together

Washington, North Carolina: [1863]. Envelope or Cover. This three-page letter is datelined, “Washington N.C. Jan 24th”” 1863. Its envelope is postmarked “Washington / Jan 26 1863” and bears a “Due 3” handstamp. Both letter and cover are in nice shape. In this letter, Judd writes a friend in... More about Letter from a Lieutenant in the 27th Massachusetts Infantry while encamped at Washington, North...

Forsyth County, Georgia: 1848. Unbound. In this one-page document, bondsmen pledge $100 as a guarantee that: “Adam Campbell shall personally appear before the Superior Court when held for said County on the fourth Monday in August next then and there to answer . . . for and concerning the offence... More about A bond requiring a white man to appear in court on the charge that he furnished “spirituous...

Cedarville, Ohio: circa 1915. One photograph, measuring 9.75” x 7.75”, shows an entire finely-dressed blackface minstrel company posed on an ornately curtained stage. A second photograph, approximately 7” x 5”, shows eight members of the company posed on the same stage carrying a drum, sabers, and pennants for Cedarville, Slippery... More about Grouping of three mounted minstrel photographs and two minstrel music pamphlets belonging to a...

Newport, [Rhode Island]: October 15, 1767. Unbound. This manuscript receipt from James Tanner to Ann Rhodes (received on her behalf by Edward Rhodes) measures 7.5” x 3”. Minor edgewear including two small chips that do not affect any text. The receipt reads in part: “For 4 Days work... More about Receipt for work performed by a rented Rhode Island slave on the Sloop Venus shortly before it...