1842-1849 Providence, Rhode Island Lady’s Autograph Album with Stunning Calligraphy and Pastoral Drawings
11074On offer is a beautiful mid-19th century autograph book belonging to a young Rhode Island woman named Nancy Witherell.
This small autograph book, so popular in pre-Civil War America, measures 7.75 inches by 6.0 inches and contains 96 pages. It is 26% complete. The book includes 5 pretty black and white plates with line drawings illustrating idealized and pastoral scenes as well as a portrait of a young woman. The cover is worn but still intact. The binding however has come apart and the covers are barely attached. The pages are still bound to the spine and the handwriting is legible. The handwriting displays some very beautiful calligraphy.
The owner of this book was a young woman named Nancy Witherell. On the inside front cover she has noted her home as Providence, Rhode Island. Our research has not uncovered any biographical information about her although the family name is extant in Rhode Island and neighbouring Massachusetts.
The earliest entry is dated 1842 but there are entries as well from 1844, 1846 and 1849. An interesting entry - written in Greek, Latin and English - ends with the notation "Brown University, Aug 1846. This may suggest a connection to that prestigious institution, though Nancy Witherell does not appear to have attended the school.
Some excerpts from the autograph book follow:
“To Nancy…May no grief disturb thee/May the pillow of health kiss thy cheek/And when thou art tired of earthly joys/May the curtain of Death close gently around thee/And the expiring lamp of life receive no rude blast/To hasten its extinction/Rebecca Lelee, Boston Mass, June 29th 1842”
“Then since the fairest form that's made/Soon withering we shall find/let not possess what never shall fade/The beauties of the mind…Written by your friend FHC xxxxxxx, Providence February 2nd, 1845”.
For a historian or genealogist, this little autograph book is a treasure. With numerous signed entries, it provides an excellent map of relationships and a window into friendships in the 19th century.
Please don't hesitate to contact us for more information or to request photos. (Kindly include the SKU, listed on this page above the price, in your e-mail so we can more easily answer your questions.)
