American Historical Ephemera & Photography

WILSON, William S., photographer. Savannah, GA, 1886. 2 boudoir cards, 7 1/2 x 4 3/8 in., on cardstock mounts (toning, some spotting and soiling to prints and mounts). Versos with Wilson's ink stamp, manuscript identification, and 1886 date. The Charleston scenes include: "Hibernian Hall, (31 Aug) Sep 1886," with at least 14 young men and women, mostly African American subjects, standing in front of the wreckage. A saloon is visible at left. -- "Guard House, 31 Aug 1886," with two men standing before the structure, which underwent significant damage. 

[With:] COOK, George L., photographer. Charleston, SC, 1886. 3 boudoir cards, 8 x 4 3/4 in., on cardstock mounts (toning, spotting and soiling to prints and mounts, chipping and bumping to edges). Two of the photographs include Cook's imprint, series title "Cook's Earthquake Views of Charleston and Vicinity," and list of image titles. The scenes, which were taken after 31 August 1886, include: "Unitarian Church, exterior." -- "Large Geyser, Ten Mile Hill." -- Third boudoir photograph includes Cook's ink stamp on verso and manuscript identification, "Mrs. Ravenel's House East Battery, Aug. 31-1886, Charleston, SC. 

Together, 5 boudoir photographs documenting the effects of Charleston's 31 August 1886 earthquake, which is considered one of the most damaging earthquakes to occur in the Southeastern United States and one of the largest historic shocks in Eastern North America.