The McAllister Collection contains about 7,000 Civil War envelopes collected by John A. McAllister. Issued by stationers, printers, and publishers, the envelopes contain patriotic designs and slogans to promote support for the war. Predominately published in the Northern states between 1861 and 1862, a small number of envelopes with anti-Union designs printed in the Confederate states circulated as well. The designs depict portraits of historic and prominent military figures, military scenes, state seals, cartoons, Liberty, American eagles, flags, and other military and patriotic emblems.

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Kansas envelope
Image: Two men flank The Constitution and each hold on to the Union flag above it. Locomotives are visible on both sides behind the men. The words Popular Sovereignty Progress surround the image., Caption: Arms of Kansas., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Kentuckians beware of traitors envelope
Image: Depicts the state seal of Kentucky, which centers around two men clasping their hands together underneath of the motto "United we stand, Divided we fall.", Verse 1189: Kentuckians! Beware of Traitors!, Verse 2603: United we stand, divided we fall., Caption: "If Kentucky to-morrow unfurls the banner of resistance, I never will fight under that banner. I owe a paramount allegiance to the whole Union--a subordinate one to my own State." Henry Clay, Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Kentucky envelope
Image: Lady Liberty wears a laurel weath on her head and holds a Union flag in her right hand. The Liberty cap rests on a pole behind the state seal of Kentucky, on top of which Lady Liberty rests her left hand. The state seal depicts two men clasping their hands together underneath of the motto "United we stand, Divided we fall." Union is spelled out in red, white and blue letters that resemble flags., Caption: Loyal to the Union., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Lady Liberty and flying eagle envelope
Image: In the upper left hand corner is Liberty, dressed in the Stars and Stripes. She stands on the back of the flying eagle. The word "Union" is visible behind the Liberty figure. Beneath and across the entire lower edge of the envelope are Union soldiers, dressed in blue, atop brown horses, pulling cannon and raising dust as they advance., Caption: King & Baird, Book and Job Printers, 607 Sansom Street, Philadelphia., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Lady Liberty and House of Representatives envelope
Image: Depicts two scenes. The left hand side shows Lady Liberty sitting with a shield, a wheat sheaf, and fasces. On the right side of the envelope shows the House of Representatives in session., Verse 950: House of Representatives., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Lady Liberty and Native American woman with U.S. Patent Office envelope
Image: Depicts two scenes, the left hand side shows Lady Liberty standing with the Union flag and shield, and a Native American woman sitting at her side. The right hand side of the envelope depicts an exterior view of the U.S. Patent Office in Washington, D.C., Verse 2627: U.S. Patent Office., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Lady Liberty and Union soldier stationery package envelope
Image: Depicts a large envelope used to package stationery. Two images are depicted: one is Lady Liberty holding the Union flag and a sword. The other image shows a Union soldier holding the flag and trampling on the Confederate flag., Caption: The Government and flag must and shall be sustained. Stationery and portrait package for everyone! Price only 25 cents containing six sheets Union note paper, six sheets commercial note paper, one fine lead pencil, one fine steel pen, six Union envelopes, six letter envelopes, one accommodation penholder. Contains some of the following Generals in full length, McClellan, Wool, Halleck, Burnside, Sigel, McCall, Banks, Hooker, Pope, Meagher. Hunter, Ellsworth, Corcoran, Baker, Buell, Butler, Shields, Com's Dupont Foote, Goldsborough--also, President Lincoln, G.F. Train, Parson Brownlow, &c. Also a beautiful piece of jewerly or currency holder., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
"Latest contraband" envelope
Image: A freed African American man stands with his right hand on his hip and his left hand holding a hoe. Refers to the contraband policy that banned soldiers from returning runaway slaves to their owners once they crossed Union lines., Verse 1381: Massa can't have dis chile, dat's what's de matter., Caption: The latest contraband of war., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
"Latest contraband" envelope 2
Image: A freed African American man stands with his right hand on his hip and his left hand holding a hoe. Refers to the contraband policy that prohibited soldiers from returning runaway slaves to their owners once they crossed Union lines., Verse 1381: Massa gone to fight, I'll go to Washington., Caption: Latest contraband., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Liberty conquering disunion envelope
Image: Lady Liberty stands in the foreground with the snake of disunion conquered under her feet. She holds a flag that displays the names Lincoln, Scott and Anderson. An winged angel holds a Union shield and sits on three coffins for Beauregard, Davis, and Stephens. In the background, Davis hangs from the traitors platform, while Stephens and Beauregard wait for the same fate. Includes the U.S. Capitol building., Verse 2725: What the South shall see!, Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Liberty envelope
Image: Bust portrait of a woman wearing a hat lined with stars and facing right., Verse 485: Dedicated to the gallant defenders of our National Union., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Lincoln alchemist envelope
Image: Lincoln as an alchemist, wearing the red, white and blue of the Union, dips into the "Pure Refined National Elixir of Liberty" at his feet. Posters for other Union pharmaceutical remedies cover the walls., See D. D. Berolzheimer's description of envelope in Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, January, 1949., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Lock and key envelope
Image: A bayonet with the label "U.S. Rifle" unlocks the lock labeled "Slavery"., Verse 2191: The Lock and Key., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Long Bridge spanning the Potomac River envelope
Image: Three envelopes together form one scene, which depicts the 1819 wooden toll bridge, Long Bridge, over the Potomac River, connecting Washington, D.C. to Arlington, Va. Includes soldiers walking next to horses that pull cannon carriages., Verse 1265: Long Bridge, Washington, by Moonlight., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Louisiana envelope
Image: Depicts a mother pelican feeding her young in the Louisiana state seal. Above the scene are scales of "Justice" and sixteen stars., Caption: Arms of Louisiana. Rebels., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Luther C. Ladd envelope
Image: Bust portrait of Luther C. Ladd, a 6th Massachusetts Volunteer Militiaman, with upraised American flag behind him. He was one of four soldiers killed in the Baltimore riot of 1861., Verse 1288: Luther C. Ladd, of Alexandria, N.H., was shot in the Baltimore riot, April 19th, 1861, and bled to death on the same day. He was only 17 years of age. -- Just before he expired, he exclaimed -- "ALL HAIL TO THE STARS AND STRIPES.", Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Man ensnarled in snake envelope
Image: Hanging from a tree, a snake grips a fearful man. An African American man peaks his head out from behind the tree to watch the scene, which resembles a lynching. The Capitol building sits in the distance., Verse 474: De fowler caught in his own snare., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Man on flagpole envelope
Image: A man hangs from a flagpole, gripping a hammer in his right hand. The Union flag faces right. Red, white and blue design., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Man on flagpole envelope
Image: A man hangs from a flagpole, gripping a hammer in his right hand. The Union flag faces right., Verse 1959: "Stand by our flag! on shore and flood; as harbinger of peace or war, And palsied by the traitorous hand, That would its field of glories mar.", Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Man reading the paper envelope
Image: A man sits in an armchair and reads the paper. A bag rests on the floor near the chair., Verse 2613: U.S.A., Caption: A collection of Union envelopes in a few years from now will form a most valuable and pleasing curiosity, and will be sold at double the original cost., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Map of the seat of war envelope
Image: In the lower left hand corner is an image of an African American man, sitting outdoors at a table with food, possibly a loaf of bread, and a knife untouched. On the right hand side of the envelope is a keyed map showing the locations of the battles., Verse 1058: I'se De innocent cause ob all dis war trubble., Verse 1375: Map of the Seat of War., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Maryland envelope
Image: Depicts the reverse side of the Maryland state seal, which depicts a farmer and a fisherman holding up a coat of arms. Encircling the seal is a Latin quote, which translates to "with favor wilt thou compass us as with a shield." The state motto is on a banner underneath the coat of arms: "Fatti maschii, parole femine," or "Strong deeds, gentle words." An eagle is depicted above the coat of arms., Caption: Maryland. On the fence., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Maryland increase and multiply envelope
Image: Depicts the reverse side of the Maryland state seal, which depicts a farmer and a fisherman holding up a coat of arms. An eagle is depicted above the coat of arms., Verse 1042: Increase and Multiply., Verse 2164: The Great Seal of Maryland., Caption: Coat of arms of Maryland / And Stand by the Union Forever, Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Massa George pulling down Union flag envelope
Image: A shocked African American man tries to stop Massa George, possibly meant to be George Washington's (non-existent) son, from pulling down the Union flag. Two African American men stand in the background., Verse 995: I wouldn't pull down dat Flag, Massa George; you will neber forgib yerself as long as you lib, if you do. Dem stars were intended to be 'fixed,' and not moved round. I recollect the time when it had only thirteen, and hab watched it grow jus like my own chile. Your fader honored and respected it, and would hab died protecting it, derefore Massa, if you hab any respect for de memory ob your fader, who is dead an' gone, run up dat Flag agin give tree cheers for de Union, and let's keep up next Fourth of July in de ole fashioned way.", Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Massachusetts envelope
Massachusetts envelope
Image: Depicts the Massachusetts state seal centers around an Algonquin Native American. A white star with five points appears next to the figure's head, signifying the state's admission as the 6th US State. A blue ribbon surrounds the shield, bearing the state motto "Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem." Includes the state military crest: a bent arm holding a broadsword aloft., Caption: Massachusetts., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Massachusetts flanked by Union flags envelope
Image: Two Union flags and cannons flank the Massachusetts state seal. The seal centers around an Algonquin Native American. A white star with five points appears next to the figure's head, signifying the state's admission as the 6th US State. A blue ribbon surrounds the shield, bearing the state motto "Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem." Includes the state military crest: a bent arm holding a broadsword aloft., Caption: Massachusetts. The War for the Union., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Massachusetts with Lady Liberty envelope
Image: Lady Liberty stands with the Union flag, facing right, and leans her right elbow on a circular framed image depicting the Massachusetts state seal surrounded by the phrase "The Union must and shall be preserved." The state seal depicts an Algonquin Native American. A white star with five points appears next to the figure's head, signifying the state's admission as the 6th US State. A blue ribbon surrounds the shield, bearing the state motto "Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem." Includes the state military crest: a bent arm holding a broadsword aloft. On the right hand side of the envelope are large letters with stars spelling out "Union", in front of which is a "Massachusetts" banner., Caption: Massachusetts / Union., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Michigan envelope
Image: Depicts the Michigan state seal, which was inspired by the seal used for the Hudson Bay Fur Company. A man stands at the edge of a peninsula inside a shield, with a ribbon underneath that reads "Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice," or "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.." The shield is held by a moose and an elk that face each other. Just above the scene in the shield is the motto "Tuebor," which means "I will defend." An eagle is depicted just above the shield, along with "E Plurubus Unum.", Caption: Michigan. For the Union., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Miners and Sappers envelope
Image: Benjamin Butler and another white soldier face a group of five African American sappers and miners, who have pick axes and shovels propped against their shoulders. Refers to the contraband policy that banned soldiers from returning runaway slaves to their owners once they crossed Union lines., Verse 454: Contraband of War or Volunteer sappers and miners from the F.F.V.'s. [First Families of Viriginia], Caption: Massa Butler, we's just seceded from Harper's Ferry, where we larnd de trade of making Trenches and Forti'cations, we's de niggers to call upon in dat ar line. We borrowed des yer tools at de Ferry, and ef des isent Contraban, we's gwine to carry em back at the close of horsetilities., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Miners and Sappers envelope 2
Image: Benjamin Butler and another white soldier face a group of five African American sappers and miners, who have pick axes and shovels propped against their shoulders. Refers to the contraband policy that banned soldiers from returning runaway slaves to their owners once they crossed Union lines., Verse 2653: Volunteers sappers and miners from the F.F.V. [First Families of Virginia] or merchandise contraband of war., Caption: "Massa Butler, we's just seceed from de 'Meen-asses Junction,' and wants to 'list in the counter-band rigiment. We's no great hands at fightin', but we kin run 'most fast as our old massas did toder night, Now, ef you wants any trenches or forti'cations made, WE'S de niggers to call upon in dat ar line." We borro'd des yer tools at de Junction, and gwine to carry em back at de close ob horsetilities., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Miscegenation envelope
Image: Depicts a white master in bed together with his female slave., Verse 2239: The "Peculiar" institution., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Mississippi envelope
Image: Two images appear on the envelope, the left side depicts a winged angel with the Union flag. The image on the right side shows a grinning devil figure with horns holding onto the state seal of Mississippi. Inside the seal, an eagle grasps a shield bearing the stars and stripes., Caption: Mississippi., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Monkey envelope
Image: A monkey wears glasses and reads a large book with backward letters and jumbled words., Verse 1157: Jeff's a NEGRO-MAN,-SIR: he seeks to know the "bitter end," and finds confusion and ruin only. Everything wrong side up., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Mule envelope
Image: Depicts a mule's head on a southerner's formally-attired body. He holds a pocket watch in his right hand and a top hat behind his back in his left hand., Verse 2138: "The Flower of the south.", Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Nathaniel Banks with Washington, D.C. envelope
Image: A bust portrait of Nathaniel Banks sits next to a rectangular map of Washington, D.C. Includes Maryland and Delaware, and a small portion of Pennsylvania., Verse 1295: Maj. Gen. Banks., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Native American man and colonist with seal of New York City envelope
Image: A white colonist and a Native American man sit on the ground near the water. The colonist holds a sextant in his left hand. The Native American man wears traditional clothing, with a feathered headband and an arm band. He holds an ax in his right hand. Between the two men sits the seal of New York City, noticeable because of the beaver, flour barrel and windmill blades. In the left background a man is poised to spear a moose. Ships are visible in the distance., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Naval battle near Fort Wright envelope
Image: Depicts a naval battle scene involving gun-boats and steamers on the Mississippi River near Fort Wright., Verse 1446: Naval Engagement off Fort Wright., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Naval Expedition No. 4 envelope
Image: Detailed view of soldiers sitting in a small row boat in the water nearby. Men line up and prepare to board a steamer. Large, fully rigged ships crowd the river in the distance., Verse 2624: U.S. Naval Expedition., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Naval Expedition No. 8 envelope
Image: Detailed view of soldiers sitting on shore and in small row boats in the water nearby. Men line up and prepare to board a steamer. Large, fully rigged ships crowd the river in the distance., Verse 2624: U.S. Naval Expedition., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Naval Expedition No. 9 envelope
Image: An African American man sits on the ground with a large sack next to him. A uniformed soldier sits on a rock nearby, and holds a bayonet in his left arm. It seems as though they're taking cover from a burning ship on the river below., Verse 2624: U.S. Naval Expedition., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector

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