American Historical Ephemera & Photography

53 stereoviews, 6 x 3 in., or smaller, on cardstock mounts (condition ranges from good to very good, with toning, some soiling/spotting; edge and corner wear to mounts). Includes the following highlights:

At least 25 stereoviews of Washington, DC, showing views of the capitol building, some credited to E. & H.T. Anthony and Langenheim, Loyd & Co., Philadelphia, PA, interior and exterior views of the Smithsonian, 2 credited to T.W. Smillie, Washington, DC, images of monuments, and street views. Also included are 3 views captioned "Soldier's Home Washington" by W.M. Chase, "Hospital Soldier's Home, Washington, DC" by Charles Bierstadt, and an uncredited view of "Lincoln's Hospital" (location unknown).

6 stereoviews capturing various rooms at Mount Vernon, a portion credited to either N.G. Johnson or Luke C. Dillon, Washington, DC, and a hand-colored view of the Arlington House by Bell & Bro., Washington, DC.

3 views documenting Coxey's Army approaching Washington, DC., 2 of which are credited to J.F. Jarvis (Underwood & Underwood), copyrighted 1894. Captions include: "More Money, Less Misery, Good Roads,'-Coxey's Army approaching Washington" and "Gen. Coxey and his Secretary nearing Washington. The third, credited to Griffith & Griffith, Philadelphia, is entitled, "Coxey's Army Bandwagon," and shows men near or inside a wagon with sign on side that reads "The Common Brass Band." 

In the wake of the Panic of 1893, Coxey's Army was a protest march on Washington, DC, led by Ohio businessman Jacob Coxey in 1894. Marchers were unemployed workers eager for the government to create jobs in the public works sector and pay workers in paper currency. Though they officially called themselves "the Army of the Commonwealth in Christ," the group has endured in historical and popular memory as "Coxey's Army." References to the event and the "army" can be found across the spectrum of popular culture, including a mention in the 1955 play Inherit the Wind, the expression "enough food to feed Coxey's Army," and even interpretations of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. 

11 stereoviews documenting politicians, parades, and other public gatherings, many published by Keystone View Co., J.F. Jarvis, and Littleton View Co. Subjects/scenes include: Inauguration of President Harrison, 1889; 2 images of Grover Cleveland's inauguration,1893; 3 views of William McKinley, including White House portrait and memorial views; Major General Fitzhugh Lee on horseback; "The Funeral of the Cuban patriot Gen. Garcia, Washington, DC, USA." General Calixto Garcia Iniguez fought in at least three wars working for Cuban independence (Ten Years' War, Little War and War of 1895). He died of pneumonia while on a diplomatic mission to Washington, DC. Cuba ultimately won its war for independence as part of the Spanish-American War a couple years later.

3 stereoviews with images on recto/verso include Native American subjects Whirlwind, Cheyenne Chief, Horseback, Comanche Chief, and Horseback's son, Comanche on recto and American views (in same order) of Grant's Tomb, New York, White House, Washington, and Old State House, Boston on verso. -- 3 uncredited stereoviews showing images of paintings - Washington Resigning his Commission, DeSoto's Discovery of the Mississippi, and Embarkation of the Pilgrims.

[With:] 34 silver gelatin steroeviews, 4 5/8 x 2 3/8 in., produced by the Keystone View Co., Meadville, PA, documenting Washington, DC, buildings, monuments, streets, and personalities, ca 1930s (some with surface loss, some curl upwards). 

[Also with:] 3 CDVs, comprising: CDV studio portrait of Geir Zoëga. Uncredited. Ink inscription on verso reads: "Geir Zoega / my guide through / Iceland in / 1878. / Was guide to the / King of Denmark / in 1874." Geir Zoëga was an entrepreneur and is credited as the first professional tourist guide in Iceland. His brother, also named Geir Zoëga, was a prominent professor of English, and his niece, Sigriður Zoëga (1889-1968) was a prominent photographer. -- CDV studio portrait of Hiram Powers (1805-1873). Gardner: Washington, DC, n.d. 511 7th St. imprint on verso. Ink inscription on verso reads: "Hiram Powers / the / Sculptor / with autograph." One of the most prominent sculptors of the mid-19th century who was one of the first American artists to gain an international reputation. -- CDV after illustration "By the Sad Sea Waves," lampooning Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles and Assistant Secretary Gustavus Vasa Fox. Gurney & Son: New York, n.d. 707 Broadway imprint on verso and recto. A caricature of a man holding a boat with a fox at his feet and stormy sea, lighthouse, and distant burning ships in the background. The caption reads: "Ancient Mariner Welles and his Fox waiting for "smooth water," while the Pirate Alabama is burning our ships in the distance" (some CDVs with toning; edge and corner wear to mounts). 

Together, approx. 90 stereoviews and cartes de visite.