New Arrivals
Humor,Embossed die-cut Valentine,Moveable,Hand-colored, Alamanac
England: 1850s. A charming example of "paper with a secret" in Valentine form: small embossed die-cut bifolium with hand-colored scrap on front depicting an almanac that, when lifted, reveals the rest of the message. The message reads in full: "Why are you like an Almanack? / Because you should name.....
Price: $125.00
Lace paper,Ballerinas,Putti,Weeping Willow
United States: 1850s. An elaborate and remarkably well-preserved embossed lace paper colored with blue and pink, depicting ballerinas, putti, and swans underneath a canopy of weeping willow branches. Measures approx. 4.5" by 7", for octavo-sized Valentine.
Price: $85.00
Calligraphic Writing,Tokens
United States: 19th century. Eight (8) hand-lettered calling cards/tokens of friendship, displaying a range of techniques and artistic skill. Nicely represents the 19th century practice of calligraphic drawing, especially in the example lettered "Hettie Lee", which employs five different ink colors and calligraphic flourishes. Other imagery includes a ship at.....
Price: $175.00
Transformation,Parisian Department Stores
Paris: 1890s. A charming children's transformation advertising Au Bon Marché/Maison A. Boucicaut, a Parisian department store. Front depicts a little girl in a yellow dress selling costume masks, back has a view of the Rue du Bac in Paris. There are two dolls (a boy on the verso of the.....
Price: $125.00
Chapbook,Moralistic Tales for Children
Boston, Massachusetts: Taggard & Thompson, 1863. Later edition, first published in 1857, of a book of moralistic stories for children. This edition not located in WorldCat (Jan. 2024). 16mo (4.25" by 2.75"), pp. 48, illus., in original publisher's green cloth stamped in blind, spine gilt. Gift inscription to Miss Phoebe.....
Price: $65.00
American Tract Society,Chap books,Moralistic Tales for Children
New York, New York: American Tract Society, c.1860. An instructive and moralistic tale published by the American Tract Society for young children. 16mo (4.25" by 3"), pp. 16, illus., original illus. wrps. Approx. 5 copies on WorldCat (Jan. 2024).
Price: $35.00
Temperance,Moralistic Tales for Children,Chap books
New York, New York: J.S. Redfield, c.1850? A pro-temperance tale for children, warning against the evils of drinking. 16mo (4.5" by 3"), pp. 16, illus., in original illus. wrps. Early pencil message to upper wrapper verso ("Get well soon..."). Approx. 5 copies on WorldCat (Jan. 2024).
Price: $40.00
Chap books,Native Americans in Children's Literature
Concord, New Hampshire: Merriam & Merrill, 1854. Later edition. A book of children's stories featuring Native Americans, with illustrations throughout. Reinforced positive and negative stereotypes/associations for American children. 12mo (6" by 3.75"), pp. 24, illus., bound in publisher's wrps. going to the same text but for the next year's edition.....
Price: $100.00
Chapbook,Moralistic Tales for Children
Boston, Massachusetts: Taggard & Thompson, 1863. Later edition, first published in 1857, of a book of moralistic stories for children. In-text illustrations This edition not located in WorldCat (Jan. 2024). 16mo (4.25" by 2.75"), pp. 48, illus., in original publisher's brown cloth stamped in blind.
Price: $65.00
Advertising to Women,Perfume and Toiletries,Youth and Beauty Products, Art Deco Design
New York, New York: California Perfume Company, 1926. Featuring a stylish flapper in bright red and black dress on the front, "For You and Your Home" advertises products by the California Perfume Company to housewives as a means of achieving youth and beauty. Advertises perfumes, compacts, creams, makeup, toiletries, powders.....
Price: $225.00
Medical Treatment,Family Medicine
Plymouth, Massachusetts: 1829. A handwritten medical bill in ink made out to "Widdow [sic] Hannah Blakeslee" from "R. Cook" for "medical services for self" from September 16th, 1825 until April 21st, 1829, totaling $14.42, and noting already received payment for medical services rendered to Gerry Blakeslee for $9.00. Located at.....
Price: $125.00
Campers and Trailers,The American Family Road Trip
Chicago, Illinois: Gilkie Camp Trailer Co., c.1930. Illustrated advertisement for the Gilkie Camp Trailer, offering American families "Comforts and Convenience" during camping trips, while also being collapsible to be easily and compactly towed behind the family car. Folding pamphlet measuring approx. 6.25" by 3" folded, with illustrations of the product.....
Price: $150.00
Hotels,Tourism,Patriotism in Advertising
Washington, D.C. Hotel Powhatan, c.1920. Promotional booklet for the Hotel Powhatan, marketed to tourists visiting Washington, D.C. as "The Hotel of American Ideals". Includes photo-illustrations of the hotel's luxurious accommodations, and watercolor illustrations of colonial-era scenes to emphasize the theme. Offers guests a list of nearby attractions with hours, a......
Price: $200.00
Civil War Song Sheet,Popular Music
United States: c.1865. A Civil-War era song sheet with pro-Union lyrics, printed "as sung by our volunteers", directing singers to sing it to a "Gay and Happy" tune: "Traitors have betrayed the nation, But we will by the Union stand; Let every Patriot seek his station, With the gallant warlike.....
Price: $100.00
Supporting the Arts,Summer Festivals,Arts and Cultural Events,History of New York City
New York, New York: Municipal Art Committee, 1936. Illustrated booklet promoting the Second Annual Summer Festival of the City of New York, a grand celebration of the city's museums, parts, performances, and cultural events. Organized by the Municipal Art Committee, the festival opened with a performance by the Metropolitan Opera.....
Price: $100.00
New Hampshire,Local History
Mason Village, New Hampshire: 1859. Printed Order of Exercises for the installation of the Rev. George E. Fisher as pastor of the local congregational church in Mason Village, New Hampshire. The event seems to have been exciting for the small local community, and included a choir, prayers and scripture readings.....
Price: $85.00
Politics,Baseball,Spanish-American War
Washington, D.C. 30 April, 1898. Typewritten letter on official United States Senate letterhead signed by Senator Arthur Pue Gorman of Maryland, responding to a query from 1st Lieut. Owen Norris of Easton, Maryland. Norris had requested Gorman's assistance raising a unit of volunteers to serve in the Spanish-American War. Gorman.....
Price: $125.00
Steam Power,Factories Manufactories and Machine Shops
Providence, Rhode Island: 1846. Printed circular announcing improvements to "ready made belts" for machinists and manufacturers, tauting new steam power technology: "These belts are made from the best Oak-tanned Philadelphia Slaughter Leather. In the dressing of them, steam power is employed, and an entirely new method adopted, by which the.....
Price: $175.00
History of Kentucky,American Industry and Commerce
Frankfort, Kentucky: Frankfort Chamber of Commerce, 1930s. Illustrated tourism brochure for the capitol of the state of Kentucky, Frankfort, published by their Chamber of Commerce in the 1930s. Comprised largely of advertisements for local businesses, it provides a valuable snapshot into the area's local commerce at this time, and the.....
Price: $120.00
Perfumes,Marketing to Women,Handkerchief Extracts
New York, New York: Wenck Perfumes, c.1900. A c.1900 advertising handbill for Wenck Perfumes, marketing their perfume to well-off women as "handkerchief extracts" to lightly perfume a handkerchief. Features an illustration of their elaborate bottle design for "Gilsey House" perfume. Lists the dozens of scents available, ranging from "Acacia" to.....
Price: $85.00
Advertising and Marketing Health,Cereals
Minneapolis, Minnesota: Pillsbury Flour Mills Company, 1910s. Advert for Pillsbury's Health Bran, a cereal marketed as "Nature's Corrective" at a time when doctors were "prescribing" (i.e. helping to market) bran cereals for improving digestive and general health. Features an anthropomorphic cereal box on the front. Claims to offer "immediate relief".....
Price: $90.00
Children's Serials
Elgin, Illinois: David C. Cook Publishing Co., 1893. Vol. 16, Nos. 26, 35, 38, and 40 of "Dew Drops", a charming illustrated children's newspaper issued weekly in the late 19th century and well into the early 20th century. These issues were published in June 1893, and each start with a......
Price: $225.00
Coquetry,Flirtation,Valentine's Day
England: 1840s. A humorous handmade Valentine, made from two hand-colored characters cut from an etching (a barber brandishing a razor, and a man in night shirt and night cap). The manuscript inscription reads: "Good Morning valentine. Ye virgins that hear, learn [?] from this / take care how too freely.....
Price: $200.00
Pastoral,Hand-colored etching
England: 1840s. An attractive hand-colored etching depicting a gentleman with a rapier stopping to admire the beauty of a young country maiden. Two men harvest wheat in the background in front of a forest and a country estate home. Adorned with twelve delicate silver sequins sewn to the paper with.....
Price: $300.00