Search | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

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Place written

Year

Sub-era

1861 ca.

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Photograph signed

Title: Large albumen photograph, signed twice

Signed twice, once on albumen and once on mount. Per Charles Hamilton, signature and painted clothing on photograph look wartime.

GLC05153

1777/09/06

Gibson, John, 1729-1782

Broadside signed

Title: Instructions for officers entrusted with public money

Instruction to "any officer of the army of the United States... who hath been or shall be entrusted with or accountable for the public money."

GLC05155

1798/01/17

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Pamphlet

Title: Message from the President [re: ratification of the 11th Amendment]

"Message from the President... Concerning the suability of states, in pursuance of a Resolution of the two houses, of the second of March last." First edition, printed by order of the House of Representatives.

GLC05161

1870 ca.

Photograph

Title: Five albumen photographs of Annapolis, officer training and sailors [word processed inventory available]

Includes: 1. Gunnery Molde Room, 2. Infantry [sic] Drill, 3. Inside of Arm Ward, 4. Dress Parade in Summer, and 5. Hager's Class of 1861.

GLC05173

1865 ca.

Photograph

Title: Stereograph view of Citadel at Fort Morgan showing effects of Farragut's shells

GLC05174.01

1865 ca.

Photograph

Title: Stereograph view of freight shed at Savannah, by J.N. Wilson

GLC05174.02

1902/05/22

Anthony, Susan B., 1820-1906

Book signed

Title: The History of Woman Suffrage... in Four Volumes, Vol. IV. 1883-1900

Inscribed to Emily M. Gross. Edited by Anthony and Ida Husted Harper. Published by Susan B. Anthony.

GLC05175

1861 ca.

Fredericks & Co.

Photograph signed

Title: [Richard Yates]

Inlaid on paper.

GLC05177

1860 ca.

Photograph

Title: Republican "Wide-Awake," sixth-plate ruby glass ambrotype, election of 1860

Depicts a serious young man in a waterproof cap and cape, holding an oil torch. The image has been painted to suggest light from the torch. The "wide awakes" led processions supporting Lincoln in the election of 1860. Nevins "Emergence of Lincoln" p. 305 describes such a procession in New York. (Underneath the ambrotype in its case is a printed notice: "Photography, 1839-1889. From the Collection of Albert Raborn Phillips, Jr. 1940.")

GLC05187

February 16, 1885

Parker, Ely S., 1828-1895

Header Record

Title: Autograph letter by and copyright photo of Ely S. Parker [Decimalized]

GLC05190

February 26, 1824

Parris, Albion Keith, 1788-1857

Printed document signed

Title: to John Andrew Shulze

Printed resolution signed by Parris as Governor of Maine to Pennsylvania Governor John Andrew Shulze. Certified by A. Nichols as Maine's Secretary of State. First page claims he is passing along a copy of a resolution passed by the legislature of Maine and requested to be put before the Pennsylvania legislature. The resolution, passed on 17 February 1824, disapproves of an amendment to the U.S. Constitution put forward by the state of Georgia. The Georgia proposal said in part "That no part of the Constitution of the United States ought to be construed to authorize the importation or ingress…

GLC05191

1836/06/25

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Letter signed

Title: to Colonel Beall

Orders Beall to pursue and overtake a party of Indians escaping to Florida during the second Seminole War. Written at Camp Roanoke.

GLC05197

1792 ca.

Paine, Thomas, 1725-1802

Book

Title: Public good: being an examination into the claim of Virginia... [land claims]

Full title: "Public good: Being an examination into the claim of Virginia to the vacant Western Territory, and of the right of the United States to the same." Published by Charles R. & George Webster. (Not first edition.) An account of the question of the destiny and ownership of the lands to the west. Paine says the new lands should be a new state and should be admitted immediately to the fledgling U.S.

GLC05213

1818/06/18

Stevens, Thomas Holdup, ?-1841

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Affidavit on the Battle of Lake Erie]

Also signed by Holmes Weaver. Deposition describing the naval actions at the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812, focusing on Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and Captain Jesse D. Elliot. Claims that on the 10th of September, 1813, Elliot "did not do his duty" and Perry attempted to "screen Capt. Elliot from the injurious impressions made by his conduct." With a certification of oath by Justice of the Peace Weaver. At the Battle of Lake Erie, Stevens commanded the sloop Trippe.

GLC05225.01

1818/06

Champlin, Stephen, 1789-1870

Manuscript document

Title: [Affidavit on the Battle of Lake Erie]

Deposition describing the naval actions on 10 September 1813 at the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812, focusing on Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and Captain Jesse D. Elliot. Claims that Elliot "did not do his duty in the action on that day" but because Perry "desired to screen him, they forbone to make any remarks publickly upon his conduct." Also claims that Elliot fraudulently claimed rights to prize money from the battle and since continued to misrepresent his action at Lake Erie. Date inferred from a similar affidavit (see GLC05225.01). Champlin commanded the sloop…

GLC05225.02

1893 circa

Header Record

Title: Collection of 42 cyanotype photographs of the Fitchburg, Massachusetts Railroad [decimalized .01-.13]

The Fitchburg railroad ran from Massachusetts into Vermont and New York. The photographs were taken in E. Deerfield, North Adams, and Fitchburg. Images include railroad personnel, locomotives, tunnels, and trestles. These photographs create an engaging image of railroading and small town New England. These photographs come from the William Clements Library.

GLC05235

1893 ca.

Header Record

Title: Views of electric light plant and electric light inside Hoosac Tunnel

Lot includes three different views of the exterior of this very early electric light plant; view of two employees and dynamo inside the plant; and an intriguing view of an electric light in operation inside the tunnel! The technical difficulties of taking photographs indoors were formidable during the 1890s, yet here, the Fitchburg photographer produced two tremendous interior views. The "high tech" machinery inside the power plan must have been the pride of the railroad, but the electric light illuminating the tunnel was the cutting edge. Early documentation of the use of electric lighting…

GLC05235.01

1893 ca.

Fitchburg Railroad Company

Header Record

Title: Employees of engineering office

Various views of employees of the Engineering Office of Fitchburg Railroad Co. (F.R.R.), including three copies of a portrait of the bearded "Pat" O'Hara and his penetrating eyes; "Der Gang" sitting under a gas jey; two prints of a surveying party in the field alidades, and tripods - a striking and highly attractive imge; three unidentified women sitting beneath a tree; and a masculine pajama party, pipes and all!

GLC05235.02

1893 ca.

Fitchburg Railroad Company

Header Record

Title: Views of coaling trestle, East Fitchburg

Different views of a coaling trestle in East Fitchburg, Massachusetts, in winter.

GLC05235.03

1893 ca.

Fitchburg Railroad Company

Header Record

Title: Steam locomotives and trains

7 cyanotypes of F.R.R. steam locomotives.

GLC05235.04

1893 ca.

Fitchburg Railroad Company

Header Record

Title: Birdseye views of roundhouse and train yard in winter

# 1) "Fitchburg." View of train yard in the winter. Many train cars lined up on tracks, various buildings. Town visible in the rear of image. # 2) Typed inscription: "North Adams, Mass." Appears to be an aerial view of the Rail yard and town. Passenger and freight stations, round house & freight yard are in the center of the image with the town to the rear of the image.

GLC05235.05