The Collected Library, Including Americana and Early Photography

11 stereoviews featuring African American subjects. Conditions generally good, with occasional toning, soiling, and some edge and corner wear to mounts. Photographers/publishers represented in the group include: Rufus Morgan (Raleigh, NC); B.W. Kilburn (Littleton, NH); E. & H.T. Anthony (Brady negatives) (New York); John P. Soule (Boston); H. Miller; and Union View Co. (Rochester).

Highlighted scenes include: Graves of Union Prisoners at the Race Course. Boston: John P. Soule. A view from the series, "Charleston, SC, and Forts in Vicinity." A scarce stereoview taken in April 1865, showing the graves of Union soldiers buried at the race course-turned-Confederate-prison where historians believe the earliest Memorial Day ceremony took place. -- Contraband Foreground. New York: E. & H.T. Anthony (2, including hand-colored example). The image shows three young African American male subjects in uniform in front of three officers representing the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry, tentatively identified as 1st Lieutenant William Ellis, Captain Levi Tower, KIA Bull Run, and 2nd Lieutenant John P. Shaw, KIA Spotsylvania. -- All the live stock on Mr. Gill's plantation after the Battle of Gettysburgh [sic]. New York: E. & H.T. Anthony (Brady negative). -- Stereoview of men standing outside of a "Freedman's Church," as inscribed on verso, possibly in New Orleans. H. Miller (verso ink stamp). -- 3 stereoviews entitled The Colored School, Vicksburg, Miss., Plantation Life, and Cabin Home, Petersburg, Va. Littleton, NH: Kilburn Bros. or B.W. Kilburn. -- Stereoview of an African American woman posed before an ox-drawn cart. Raleigh, NC: Rufus Morgan. Note Rufus Morgan's photo gallery in the background. -- Howard University, Washington, DC. Rochester, NY: Union View Co. -- Stereoview of a large group of African Americans gathered together near a large building, period notation on verso, "Plantation View," with later penciled notation that reads, "the slaves assembled after dinner to receive instructions for their afternoon work..." Uncredited.