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The Token Album, A Friendship Album of Addie A Allen, 1858-1864, Connecticut "Opened to friendship-- But not to flattery"

This album was written predominantly before the Civil War, however the war crept in, in the form of her notes on the deaths of three (3) men while serving in the war
Toy 1861 - New Orleans
Henry 1863 - Alexandria Hospital
Eugene V. F. - died at 24 (1864)
and the flag remnant from the 2nd Connecticut Artillery.

New York: John C. Riker, c1860. A friendship album of Addie A. Allen who most likely lived in Connecticut as many of the entries note Connecticut towns in the closing. The album itself dates from 1858-1864, with the bulk of the entries dated between 1858-1860. The majority of the material from 1862-1864 are after the fact notes added to the journal, presumably by Addie, when one of her classmates died. There are entries from 40 different individuals, predominantly female. While many of then entries under a page, several are lengthy entries, almost taking the forms of letters as the author's reminisce over their friendship with Addie and wish her well in her future endeavors. Along side the entries are three dried and pressed plants specimens, which are labeled: moss and a flower from California, and a fern from India. Additionally there is a piece of red silk sewn into the journal and is labeled as a piece of the battle flag of the 2nd Connecticut Artillery. The last item of note within the album is a lock of hair from Joseph R. Toy who volunteered for the Union Army during the Civil War, but died of typhoid and malaria at a hospital near New Orleans, LA in 1861. He wrote what appears to be an original poem in the album. An excerpt of that poem as well as several other entries is provided below.

"So here where love and friendship, place
The offering which the heart holds dear,
I turn; my humble name to trace,
And pay my willing tribute here.-

Henceforth let fortune frown, or smile,
Let skies be clear or clouds attend,
My soul shall not rest unmoved the while
Content that thou has called me friend."
- Joseph R. Toy, Simsbury, CT, June 9th, 1860

"Addie dear, if in after years we should be forced to speak the parting word, let us not forget the days that have flown and if not permitted to meet again on this earth may we meet in Heaven when there is no more parting."
- Ellen Kimball, Avon CT May 20, 1858

"What shall I wish you more than has been wished, for should all the good wishes herein expelled ever be realized, your years would out number the sand upon the sea-shore. Friends would ever be around you, your life would be one of undisturbed joy- no sorrow could ever come near. But Addie this cannot always be. Death will come. Friends may desert, then have your heats affection so fired upon heavenly things, that when the hour of trail comes as come it must, you shall not falter. And when you stand upon the bank of that river, which all must one day cross, may you fearlessly plunge beneath its dark waves, knowing you have a friend in Heaven."
- Fannie Albert, her teacher, Avon, CT, February 28, 1859

Finally there is a single unattached manuscript page titled "in my own Album" a verse copied from "Rosamund Gray by Charles Lamb, 1798. Brown stamped leather covers. The decorative stamping on the covers forms a border. The stamped image on both the front and back covers is gilded, and is the same image of bird with foliage in the background. The front cover has the words 'The Token Album', which are gilded as well. The pages are gilt edge, and while the majority of the interior pages are white, there are a few colored pages. Additionally there are 6 black and white engravings placed throughout the notebook. The album is mostly filled out. Measures 7 3/4" x 6" Front cover detached. The back strip to the album is damage, and mostly missing, as a result the binding is also damaged. There leather covers are damaged, mostly due to rubbing. Front cover mostly detached. Interior pages are toned and soiled due to age.

Price: $650.00

Item #29015683