1773

Wheatley, Phillis, 1753-1784

Book

Title: Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral

Poems written by the "Negro Servant" of John Wheatley of Boston. Printed at London by A. Bell and sold in Boston by Cox and Berry. First edition copy. The first book of poetry by an African American. Bound in nineteenth century vellum, with heraldic bookplate with the name "Stainforth." With frontispiece engraved portrait of Wheatley writing. Dedication to Countess of Huntington on 12 June 1773. Phillis Wheatley was brought from Africa at the age of seven or eight, taught to read and write (in the family), and eventually began to write poetry, as her master describes in the prefatory…

GLC06154

1870 ca.

Photograph

Title: Frederick Douglass

With printed title "Fred[.] Douglass." on front, and gold printed border (where the photograph would normally be placed) on verso. Dark, rich image. No imprint. This image was used by the engraver Ritchie for a silhouette bust portrait of Douglass (see collateral to GLC 2474).

GLC06198

20 October 1776

Moncada, Fernando de Rivera y, fl. 1775-1776

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Antonio Bucareli (in Spanish)

Discusses building missions in San Diego and San Juan Capistrano. Also mentions soldiers in the stockade and checking on the families of troops.

GLC06287.08

1776 ca.

Habermann, Francois X., 1721-1796

Print

Title: Representation du feu terrible a Nouvelle Yorck [Vue d'Optique] [Burning of Wall Street area, New York]

GLC07754

1856

Vanderlyn, John, 1775-1852

Engraving

Title: Landing of Columbus.

One engraving entitled "Landing Of Columbus" dated 1856. Depicts Columbus landing in the New World in 1492. Columbus and his men arrive on a beachfront in the West Indies. Columbus holds the royal banner of Aragon and Castile in one hand and a sword in the other. Native West Indians watch the Europeans from behind a tree. Published by Martin, Johnson & Co, New York, based on a painting by John Vanderlyn, and engraved by Henry Brian Hall.

GLC08878.0001

1918

Gustrine, Charles, fl. 1918

Poster

Title: True Sons of Freedom

True Sons of Freedom broadside by Charles Gustrine, Chicago, Illinois. Depicts a regiment of African American soldiers gallantly assaulting a line of Germans with the spirit of Abraham Lincoln looking on approvingly.

GLC09121

1 September 1857

Broadside

Title: [Broadside supporting Know-Nothing party]

Supports the American, or Know-Nothing, Party in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Encourages all "who are in favor of 'Americans Ruling America!'" to send delegates to the Harrisburg Convention of September 1857.

GLC09342

1943

United States. Office of War Information. Division of Public Inquiries.

Poster

Title: Americans will always fight for liberty

OWI No. 26. Government printing Office O-502684. By artist Bernard Perlin (1918- ). U.S. soldiers in helmets and coats march forward on snow, looking back in review at colonial militiamen with rifles, some in torn clothing or bloody bandages. A badge of the U.S. flag is displayed prominently on the shoulder of the soldier nearest the viewer.

GLC09520.37

1918

Beneker, Gerritt A., fl. 1918

Poster

Title: Concrete Ammunition / Second - Line - Defense

With printed text on back.

GLC09521.01

1836

Reynolds, Joshua, 1723-1792

Engraving

Title: Engraving of Augustus, Viscount Keppel

One engraving of Augustus, Viscount Keppel dated 1836. Half portrait of Keppel based on the painting by Joshua Reynolds.

GLC08878.1502

June 24, 1775

Caldwell, Noble, fl. 1775

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andrew Caldwell

Remarks that he hopes Andrew had a pleasant trip to New York with General George Washington. Also hopes that the war between Great Britain and [the colonies] comes to an end. Would like to see him in the fall and sends complements to his family. Addressed to Mr. Andrew Caldwell, Philadelphia merchant and Commander in Chief of the armed boats of Philadelphia. Docket states letter is from Captain Noble Caldwell. Possibly written in Cape Henlopen, Delaware; Caldwell indicates his location as "Capenlopen."

GLC01450.011.01

February 6, 1776

Rice, John, fl. 1776

Letter signed

Title: to Andrew Caldwell

Petition cosigned by Charles Alexander, John Hamilton, James Montgomery, Richard Eyres, Alexander Henderson, James Blair, Gibbs Jones, Benjamin Thompson, and John Chutham. Signers notify Caldwell that William Duncan, gunner of the Washington (a ship) broke from his office to do duty as a private by sentence of a court martial. Some unknown authority then restored Duncan to his former station in violation of the court. Caldwell was Commander in Chief of the armed boats of Philadelphia.

GLC01450.011.03

April 23, 1776

Dougherty, H., fl. 1776

Letter signed

Title: to Andrew Caldwell

Petition cosigned by John Hamilton, James Montgomery, James Davison, Alex Henderson, Hugh Montgomery, Thomas Houston, and Richard Eyres. Signers inform Caldwell that promotions of men from lieutenant to captain are being given by order of seniority. The signers are worried that a William Allen, who is a senior Lieutenant, will be appointed to a command post in the fleet. They do not wish to serve under him and will give reasons why if necessary. Numbered list on p. 2 possibly documenting concepts or people they feel loyalty toward. Starts with Congress, then George Washington and the army…

GLC01450.011.04

May 8, 1781

Lovell, James, 1737-1814

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel Holten

Author inferred due to content and handwriting. Recipient inferred from content and from comparison to other items in the 1450.020 collection. Praises Massachusetts but laments the failure of the states to contribute to the common cause. States that foreign troops are garrisoning West Point because they can feed themselves and are paid. Reports that the Quarter Master had to sell some provisions in order to ship others to a skeleton of an army in need of food and supplies. Writes extensively about the dismal financial state, inflation, and depreciation of the currency. Complains that the…

GLC01450.020.14

November 20, 1781

Putnam, Enoch, 1727-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Holten

Remarks that he is in good health. States that many in the county of Essex Massachusetts thought that the militia were no longer needed at West Point but they were mistaken. His Excellency (George Washington) took a great many troops to the south so the garrison is quite empty. Comments that they were alarmed by an incident taking place in New York on 8 November and got the garrison in order to receive the enemy but they never came. Sends regards to Holten's family, friends, and Benjamin Wadsworth, pastor of the church in Danvers, Massachusetts, where Holten and Putnam were from.

GLC01450.020.17

July 20, 1781

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Irvine

Writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that he has arrived safely in New York. The boat was frequently chased but out-sailed any danger. Informs that he is now with the 57th regiment and everything is going well. Praises the officers. Mentions meeting General Campbell (possibly John Campbell) who is in New York from Pensacola but is on parole and therefore cannot serve. Comments that Campbell is not held in high esteem among the men. Says Lieutenant Colonel McLeroth has told the men they may be going south to join British General Cornwallis. General Washington and some French…

GLC01450.023.06

July 17, 1776

Noyes, John, 1740-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Noyes

Writes his wife in Newbury, Massachusetts about how much he misses her and how he thinks about her all the time. Relays that the British sent a truce flag but that the colonies have declared independency. He believe George Washington would be glad if the British attacked New York. States that he sent a letter with five dollars in it but she did not say whether or not she received it. Reports that every regiment is ready in case they get called to battle. He has sent 14 dollars in this letter and 18 dollars by the post. Discusses the grace of God and the power of religion for a bit.…

GLC01450.056.08

1820, 1823

Melish, John, fl. 1820-1823

Map

Title: A Map of the United States with the contiguous British & Spanish possessions

The 1823 edition, but copyright 1820. Of Melish and his maps, Martin & Martin write (p. 115): "Recognizing the demand for geographical information on the American West was limitless for the foreseeable future, Melish undertook to accumulate a vast amount of descriptions, statistics, and maps, and in 1816 produced in six sheets his famous map. It proved so popular it was reprinted at least twenty-two times by the end of 1822. For the Texas area, Melish relied heavily on the surveys conducted by William Darby, who had personally surveyed much of the Sabine River area.... Melish's map…

GLC04319

1888/12/04

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Adams

He is disturbed over the "clamour raised for the disfranchisement of the colored voters of the South." Written on letterhead from Cedar Hill, Douglass's Washington, D.C. home.

GLC04997

24 January 1963

Kennedy, Robert Francis, 1925-1968

Typed letter signed

Title: [Report to President John F. Kennedy regarding civil rights]

A signed carbon copy. Robert Kennedy, Attorney General, describes 1962 as "a year of great progress in civil rights, in large measure because of the responsibility and respect for law displayed by the great majority of the citizens of the South." Summarizes civil rights from the standpoint of the Department of Justice. Cites voting as the most significant civil rights issue, due to a lack of local compliance during federal investigation of voting procedures in specific areas. States that lawsuits were filed in Louisiana and Mississippi "challenging the constitutionality of the state voter…

GLC05630

1865/04/15

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Broadside

Title: The President is Dead

A dramatic printed version of Stanton's announcement of Lincoln's death to General John A. Dix, U.S. Military Commander of the Department of the East, headquartered in New York. In full: "The President is Dead! [rule] War Department, Washington, April 15, 1865. To Maj. Gen. Dix. Abraham Lincoln died this morning at 22 minutes after seven o'clock. E.M. Stanton, Sec. of War." Black bordered. Matted dimensions: 71 x 79 cm.

GLC06680

1917/01/25

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Typed letter signed

Title: to Carrie C. Catt re: women's suffrage

President Wilson expresses solidarity with the woman's suffrage movement. "I have a very real interest in the extension of the suffrage to the women, and I feel that every step in this direction should be applauded." Catt headed the influential National American Women Suffrage Association.

GLC07144

13 May 1944

Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962

Header Record

Title: [One letter and one photograph related to Eleanor Roosevelt] [Decimalized .01-.02]

One letter from Eleanor Roosevelt to Addie Frizielle dated May 13, 1944, and one photograph of Eleanor Roosevelt.

GLC09544

1941

unknown, fl. 1941-1945

Header Record

Title: Photographs of Tuskegee Airfield and Tuskegee Airmen taken during training [Decimalized .001-.145]

One scrapbook of images related to the Tuskegee Training Facility in Alabama dated 1941 to 1945. Images of scrapbook portray life at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama. Depicts construction of the airbase as well as residences, recreational activity and family life.

GLC09645

1942

Office of War Information, Division of Public Inquiries

Poster

Title: Homemakers War Guide

This poster is an all-round guide for homemakers to help in the war effort. It is broken down into four sections, plan, conserve, salvage and air raid protection. Each section contains instructions and helpful hints on what to do. The plan section includes what to include in a healthy meal, how to plan meals with the current rationing, and ways to use your spare time. The conserve section includes hints such as, getting the "Victory Food Specials" and how to clean household items. It also promotes ways to save fuel, and suggestions to mend clothes instead of buying new items. The salvage…

GLC09653.02