View Cart

Search

Store Home
Amercana/Slavery
Artists/Cartoonists
Authors/Writers
Aviation/Space/Explorers
Business
Cabinet/Supreme Court
Civil War
Colonial/Revolutionary War
Composers/Classical Music
Heads of State/Royalty
Hollywood/Stage/Entertainers
Military
Notables…and the Notorious
Presidents/VP's/First Ladies
Rock and Roll
Scientists/Inventors
Sports

EARLY CHARLESTON SLAVE TAG $1,200.00 50456-1 A rare early bronze Charleston slave tag, approx. 2" x 2", engraved "CHARLESTON 1786 SERVANT 1835", with a small hole through which a leather lace was once threaded. By law, slaves in Charleston were obliged to be registered for purposes of taxation, with their profession and registry number to be stated on the tag. This example is descibed on p. 117 of "Slave Badges and the Slave-Hire System in Charleston, South Carolina, 1783-1865" by Greene, Hutchins, Jr. and Hutchins. Excavated condition, just good condition, a decent, early strike.

(COLORADO MERCHANT COMPANY) $50.00 60078-39 Large format mounted photograph, 7" x 5" b/w, depicting several working men perched on a horse-drawn carriage about to leave a shipping dock with a bed full of cargo, ca. 1910. Both the carriage and building are owned by the Southern Colorado Mercantile Company, based in Trinidad and owned by local banker John Aiello. The firm gained some fame in Colorado for being on the winning side of lawsuits over debts owed and the manner in which they were repaid. A nice representation of mercantile practice and dress in early twentieth century Western America. Minor soiling at top right corner, else fine.

(GOLD, WHALES, & BUSINESS IN EARLY OREGON) $275.00 29502-1 A great A.L.S., 24pp. 8vo., ink inscribed letter written by "Frank C. Lewis" "Salem, Oregon, May 11, 1891 giving a highly descriptive look at ranch life in the rural countryside of Oregon including a great description of whales and their enemies plus a stunning sketch depicting the mammal, in very small part: "...speaking of whales. I will tell you about the one that came on shore dead about 10 miles north of where I was mining. It was killed at sea and thrown on the beach by the heavy surf...i went to survey the carcass...the length was...63 ft, height 12 ft. & width 10 feet, 12 ft. from one point to the other of his tail...this friend of mine knows as much about a whale as a whale does about him. At his last writing he said he had secured 150 gals of oil and considerable more to take out...besides the bone which there are plenty, not teeth, but sheets of bone that line the upper and lower jaws. The bones in the forward part of the mouth is not very long nor wide...I took my knife and cut out one of the small sheets...this bone is the kind ...used as stiffening in ladies corsets...many of the whale are killed by tow sea animals, which are heir most dreaded foes...Mr. Whale generally gives up the ghost when they get after him. They are...sword fish and the thrasher...these two...travel in company together and when get sight of Mr. Whale. They chase...him until they overhaul him...I have stood on the high bluffs near my place and watched the battle...the sword fish will come up underneath the whale with a grand rush and give him a awful stab...that makes the whale scoot high up out of the...water. Then the thrasher...comes down on his back...that sounds like a crack of thunder...they will keep at him first one then the other. I am not aware that either...eat any part of him...you...ought to see how the whale makes the water fly and foam in his desperate efforts to ward off the enemy...there is no better people...than the Cape Cod people to stock any place. They are a long way ahead of any of the stock we have got on this coast...the state of Oregon has no natural harbors...they are all closed by sand bars with an average depth of water...14 feet...all of the small coasters run on them...there is a harbor 60 miles south of my place called Coss Bay. There is a big done there in the way of coal mining and lumbering which keeps 2 or 3 lines of steamers carrying the products to San Francisco...there are 7 harbors on our coast and the government is expending...sums of money on 4 of them in building jetties so as to deepen them...it will only be a short time when all the harbors will be improved so as to admit larger steamers...we have one RR running through the entire state connecting San Francisco with Portland...it runs through the middle of the Willamette Valley, which is the garden spot of Oregon...we have a RR running from...the valley road to the Yaquina bay...connecting with the Cal steamers...no I am not married...but have one in tow...she is...a jewell...bright features...all else in proportion......you may expect the samples of gold...there will be a small vial containing the gold...the small nugget...I have gathered...with quick silver and roasted it out. It is discolored from the fumes of silver...after it has passed through the crucible at the mint it will be bright & solid...we have opened a shop and are getting quite a run in business, buggies, signs, decorating, & kalsomining...". Original transmittal envelope is included with much more interesting content. Minor soiling, else very good.

(CHARLESTON SLAVE TAG) $2,000.00 41554-1 A rare very good condition bronze Charleston slave tag, approx. 2" x 2", engraved "CHARLESTON 1787 SERVANT 1837", with a small hole through which a leather lace was once threaded. By law, slaves in Charleston were obliged to be registered for purposes of taxation, with their profession and registry number to be stated on the tag. Our example was recovered by a local digger in the Charleston area and is undoubtedly "right". An earlier tag showing some slight surface bends, but no repairs, overall very good.

(HARTFORD CIRCUS FIRE) $120.00 30301-1 An oustanding unpublished set of three original photographs of the famous Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus tent fire which claimed 168 dead and 487 injured in Hartford on July 6, 1944 when the paraffin-soaked tent suddenly caught fire and quickly burned, trapping hundreds within. According to the description, each of these 6 1/2" x 5" b/w photos were taken at one minute intervals with the first being taken less than a minute after the fire erupted. Photographer and circus buff Leo Ulrich notes on the verso of each image: "Less than a minute after fire first was seen. Notice at far left men holding out side wall. Man nearest open door of big circus canvas wagon is catching a child as it is slid down from back of top row of seats...About two minutes after start of fire...About 3 min. from start of fire, notice no one near it. Terrific heat. I still look cooked on my arms". Three startling and very rare photos, in fine condition.

DU PONCEAU, PETER S. $100.00 49227-1 (1760 - 1844) French linguist and philosopher, aide to von Steuben, joined the American Philosophical Society in 1791 and served as its president of it from 1827 until his death, fams for his analysis of Indigenous languages of the American Indians.Scarce A.E.S. on the verso of a partly-printed promissory note, 4pp. Legal folio, Philadelphia, July 16, 1808, bears a nine-line endorsement by him on verso indicating that payments had been made on two occasionswith the balance finally paid by one John D. Coxe on Feb. 16. 1815. Boldly signd. Seal tear causes slight loss not affecting endorsement, else very good.

(SLAVE OVERSEER CASE) $100.00 26734-1 A.D.S. by a William Murthschild on behalf of his client, 3pp. legal folio, Texas Supreme Court, Mar. 19, 1856, the Statement of Facts and a Motion for a new trial given by Little, attorney for the estate of William A. Little, owner of a small plantation, who was found guilty in lower court of firing his slave overseer prematurely and for insufficient reasons. The case's details are somewhat complicated, but give good insight into the nature of employment contracts from this period. In near fine condition.

(SLAVERY IN KENTUCKY) $100.00 48555-1 Rare and quite unusual partly-printed D.S. 1p. 4to., Owensboro, Kentucky, Mar. 30, 1864 being a "LIST OF COLORED PERSONS owing service to Mrs. M.A. McBride enrolled in the 4th sub-District, County of Henderson 2d Cong. Dist. of Kentucky...". The document lists one "J. Nave" aged 26 enrolled on March 14. Signed at the bottom by the Provost Marshal. Very unusual and worthy of further research. Fine.

(SLAVE AUCTIONEER`S TOKEN) $200.00 36855-1 A scarce relic of the slave trade of the mid-1800's, a copper promotional token, 1" dia., issued by the Charleston slave auction house of W. W. Wilbur. The obverse of the coin shows a standing auctioneer with gavel in hand reading: "W. W. WILBUR AUCTION & COMMISSION MERCHANT CHARLESTON, SO. CA. 1846" with the reverse bearing a palmetto tree. Worn at center of coin, still good condition.

(SUSQUEHANNA LUMBER RAFTING 1831) $200.00 52071-1 Superb content A.D. (unsigned), 7pp., ca. 3000 words, folio, [Wilkes-Barre?] Pennsylvania, 1831, a "Narrative of my rafting expedition with Th. Stevens in Spring 1831". This document relates in great detail a for-profit lumber rafting project, for the purposes of a legal dispute [Cushman v Stephens], so docketed on verso. As a consequence, this trip from Pennsylvania down to Port Deposit, Maryland contains excellent insights into river travel, commerce, and the lumber business, all at their height. In part: "...The quantity manufactured by him amounted to about 40,000 feet, just enough, he added, to make one good river raft...young men only, half horse, half alligator, are employed for this business, since it is unavoidable to wade knee deep in the water until several courses of boards are placed on the squares...these youngsters are of opinion that whiskey alone can enable them to go through this work...owing to the powerful suction of the Canowega Falls, he was driven in the wrong channel & lost not only part of the raft, but damaged the rest more or less...here at Marietta it was that St. engaged a man by the name of Elliot to serve as pilot to tide. This fellow pretended to a perfect knowledge of this, the most dangerous part of the River, but it soon appeared that he was an imposter...all hands declared they would not go on with them, their lives being in imminent danger...At Deposit we stopped about a fortnight before we made a sale. At last however a bargain was made with Boyar in the following manner: Boyar walked to the raft in order to examine the quality of the lumber & to ascertain the quantity by counting the Courses. This being done, he offered $13, we asking $16, and at last a bargain was struck at $14...the payment to be made in Baltimore..." . Logging along the Susquehanna and rafting the load down to Port Deposit in Maryland was a thriving industry by 1790. Before the advent of railroads and during a period when the Cumberland Gap was one of the few major roads with the Erie Canal netting New York a fortune, water travel reigned supreme as the cheapest, lightest, and most effective way to transport goods. The actual trip, from origin to destination, was entirely another adventure, as this document relates. Minor folds, else fine.

(CAUGHT WITH HIS PANTS DOWN) $75.00 39766-1 Interesting D.S. 1p. 4to., "Lincoln", Feb. 14, 1822 [Valentine's Day!}, a pair of deporitions signed by William and Mary Parkes attesting to an act of adultery: "...Abijah Wyman and Savia wife of William Greenwood did cohabil and live together as man & wife in the same house and at the same time with us...I have grequently seen Abijah Wyman in bed with Savia Greenwood...and dress himself with all his clothes except his shirt..." Very good.

MASONRY $200.00 51803-1 Large collection of Masonic and Shriner medals dating between 1970-1985, including: local lodges, anniversary, American bicentennial, Washington and commemorative issues. The majority are struck in bronze at small refineries, several with mintages under 300! Includes: Masonic Building Fund, Supreme Council Anniversary, Florida First Rights, G. Washington - Master Mason, Grand Master confirmation of election (New York), South Dakota, General Clark, Operation Turnaround, award items, and much more. Several of the castings were accomplished at Medallic Art, Maco, Franklin Mint, etc. Lot contains close to 40 items, including some sleepers, and thus, should be examined. Fine to very fine.

DU PONCEAU, PETER S. $90.00 49225-1 (1760 - 1844) French linguist and philosopher, aide to von Steuben, joined the American Philosophical Society in 1791 and served as its president of it from 1827 until his death, fams for his analysis of Indigenous languages of the American Indians.Scarce A.E.S. on the verso of a partly-printed promissory note, 4pp. Legal folio, Philadelphia, July 16, 1808, endorsed by him on verso: "Rec'd Feb. 16 1815 of John D. Coxe, Esq. the full amount of principal & interest on the within Bond". Boldly signd. Seal tear causes slight loss not affecting endorsement, else very good.

(EAGLE PASS MERCHANT DOCUMENTS, 1854-1857) $175.00 60078-59 Interesting lot from Eagle Pass, the first United States settlement on the Rio Grande, containing four documents from the mercantile of Adolfo Duclos, a French immigrant who set up his shop a few miles from Fort Duncan and ran a business accepting cotton from San Antonio and selling it to Mexico in exchange for commission. Includes an A.L.S., "A Duclos", 1p., 4to, Eagle Pass, July 2, 1857, in French, discussing payment with another merchant, a second letter in English (possibly secretarial), and two bills of sale in Spanish for various goods with many gallons of whiskey noted thereon. Very good, worthy of further research.

BLACKS RIOT IN NEW ORLEANS $225.00 50446-1 Fine content A.L.S. "R.B. Campbell", 4pp, 8vo., New Orleans, July 31, 1866, to a Sullivan, Ohio, relative. In part, "...We are all well here but some of us are frightened out of our wits- not so with myself however for I saw the most of it & never got a Scratch- I have sent you all the papers... Such scene of Blood Shed is beyond description. I hope to God Almighty every white man in any way had anything to do towards inciting the negros on to riot and had anything to do with the Rump Convention first killed & then I want to see ever[y] negro that had anything to do with the Rump Convention killed next... The city is now under martial law...". Fine condition. Campbell's eyewitness account reference to a "rump" convention refers to the New Orleans Radical Republicans' 1866 Constitutional Convention, held despite martial law, to protest the newly instated Black Codes in Louisiana; Campbell's point of view is decidedly anti-reform and pro-Black Codes. The riots were a pivotal moment in the rise of Radical Reconstruction as a national policy over President Andrew Johnson's policies.

1 2 

Please be sure to read our Terms and Conditions of Sale

Copyright © 2008 Alexander Autographs, LLC - All rights reserved. | Site Map | Legal | Privacy Policy