American Historical Ephemera & Photography

WRIGHT, Charles Cushing (1796-1854). Profile portrait of Maj. General Zachary Taylor, mounted on velveteen-covered board and framed (12 x 14”). Max. measurement of port. Approx. 5-1/2”. 

Two issues of the National gazette and Literary Register, one dated June 18, 1835 and the other, Sept. 1, 1835. Philadelphia: William Fry. The first has a 2-1/2-page article on the second page concerning the coming of Halley’s comet. After a discussion of the appearance of the comet and its possible contact with the earth, the author concludes: “Nevertheless we know some very judicious old ladies who have given it as their opinion, that the hat shown in the recent discussions, as well as the present warm weather, are the immediate results of the approaching comet.” The second issue devotes the entire front page to “Great Astronomical Discoveries , Lately made by Sir John Herschel, L.L.D, F.R.S., …” We counted not less than twelve luxuriant forests, divided by open plains, which waved in an ocean of verdure, and were probably prairies like those of North America. In three of these we discovered numerous herds of quadrupeds similar to our friends the bisons …but of much large size, and scarcely a piece of woodland occurred in our panorama which did not dazzle our vision with flocks of white or red birds.” In addition, Herschel described a kind of beaver with an “invariable habit of walking only upon two feet. It carries its young in its arms like a human being, and moves with an easy gliding motion. Its huts are constructed better and higher than those of many tribes of human savages, and from the appearance of smoke in nearly all of them, there is no doubt of its being acquainted with the use of fire….” There is also “an elegant stripped quadruped…” and many others. “Whenever we saw them…these creatures were evidently engaged in conversation; their gesticulation …appeared impassioned and emphatic. We hence inferred that they were rational beings….” And it is in print, so it must be true!

Photograph, approx. 7 x 11”, of Elias Hecht playing a flute. Signed in white ink: “To the Los Angeles Flute Club: - “A chain is ass strong as its weakest link” – Behold the missing link!! / Elias Hecht / Chamber Music Society of San Francisco / Oct 3rd 1921.”

Second photograph, 7-1/2 x 9-1/2”, signed in white ink: “To my good friends Baxter & Northrup Saxa-tiveley Yours / Rudy Wiedoeft / 1924.” In pencil on verso: “Hello Harry & Ray – This picture has been a long time coming – better late than never, Eh. Sorry my writting on the other side is so poor but the dam white ink ha dried out as it is the best I could do. Give my best to all of the gang / Rudy.”

Third photograph, 5-1/2 x 8” image on larger sheet. Inscribed in lower margin: “To Millie and Harry Baxter with my best wishes. / Walter C. McQuillen / Feb 16, 1934.” McQuillen was a banker and flutist who owned a wooden flute made for him by George Haynes that he played every day. He also enjoyed travel and would look for native flutes wherever he went. (see https://www.loc.gov/item/dcmphot.a0346/)

Lithograph, “Eminent Living American Poets.” 9-12 x 12-1/2”. Below the portraits: “Copied from Original Portraits, taken expressly for the New York Mirror & Ladies’ Literary Gazette. Boston: James Edy, engr. Printed by Wm. D. Smith, New York. Portraits of  Percival (center), Halleck, Pinckney, Brooks, Woodworth, Washn. Irving, Pierpont, Sprague, Bryant.

Sheet music, Freising, J. “Prince of Wales…As played by the Germania Band, at the Boston Academy of Music for the Grand Ball in honor of the Prince of Wales, Oct. 18th 1860.” Boston: Russell & Tilman, 1860. Han colored lithograph on front. 5pp (all with tears, browning) (disbound)

Felt table runner (?), with portrait of violinist near center within a lyre. Edges pinked. 24-1/2 in. long; max. width, 7”.

Hammered copper dish with raised profile of Dickens. Approx. 9” diam.