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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Eagle with Union shield envelope
Image: An eagle, facing left, grasps a red, white, and blue Union shield in its talons., Verse 1620: Our Emblem., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Eagle with Union shield, staff and arrows envelope
Image: An eagle, facing right, grasps arrows in its talons. Nearby sits a Union shield, under which lies a staff., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Elephant envelope
Image: Marching elephant wearing boots carries banners containing verses., Verse 2220: The Northern Elephant. After secession rats., Caption: What Patrick Henry said in '76, "give me Liberty, or give me Death." What Jeff. Davis says in '61 "Give me Hog, Hominy and Slavery.", Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Ellsworth's ghost envelope
Image: A group of soldiers run away from a hollow outline of Elmer Ellsworth in a tree. Men are gathered around a monument in the distance. Ellsworth was the first officer to die in the war., Verse 2503: Tomb and Shade of Ellsworth, his Spirit still Lives., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Elmer Ellsworth with sword and flag envelope
Image: Full length image of Ellsworth dressed in uniform, standing on a flag, holding a flag in his left hand, and an upraised sword in his right hand. Ellsworth was the first officer to die in the war., Verse 359: Col. Ellsworth, His Last Letter to his Parents., Caption: "Washington, May 23, 1861. My Dear Father and Mother.--The regiment is ordered to move across the river to-night. We have no means of knowing what reception we are to meet with. I am inclined to the opinion that our entrance to the city of Alexandria will be hotly contested, as I am informed a large force have arrived there to-day. Should this happen, my dear parents, it may be my lot to be injured in some manner. Whatever may happen, cherish the consolation that I was engaged in the performance of a sacred duty, and to-night, thinking over the probabilities of to-morrow, and the occurrences of the past. I am perfectly content to accept whatever my fortune may be, confident that He who noteth even the fall of a sparrow, will have some purpose even in the fate of one like me. My darling and ever loved parents, good bye. God bless, protect, and care for you. "Elmer.", Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Elmer Ellsworth's bust portrait envelope
Image: A bust portrait of Elmer Ellsworth dressed in military uniform is surrounded by flags, bayonets, cannons, a drum, a bugle, and an eagle. Ellsworth was the first officer to die in the war., Verse 358: Col. Ellsworth., Caption: Union now & for ever. Don't shed a tear for him! Better to go eager with victory. Facing the foe for one life like this life a thousand shall pay, and the fury it kindles shall carry the day., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Female Correspondence envelope
Verse: Bessie, Box 10, Danbury, Conn., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Fifth Corps, First Division envelope
Image: Red cross pattee shape designated for the Fifth Corps, First Division under the Union Army of the Potomac., Verse 579: Fifth Corps, First Division., Caption: Victory, Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Fight on the back of Old Dominion envelope 2
Image: Union and Confederate troops climb ladders to fight on the feeble back of Old Dominion, an old woman representing Virginia, who is hunched over and holds a cane., Verse 1530: Old Dominion., Verse 1719: Poor old simple Virginia., Caption: "You may plant your seeds in peace, for Old Virginia will have to bear the brunt of the battle." Gov. Pickens, Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Fight on the back Old Dominion envelope
Image: Union and Confederate troops climb ladders to fight on the feeble back of Old Dominion, an old woman representing Virginia, who holds a "secession" cane with a snake wrapped around it. Slaves runaway in the background as the battle rages above., Verse 1415: "Mother of the states and of statesmen!" How art thou fallen!, Verse 1530: Old Dominion, Caption: Southern Chivalry! You may plant your seeds in peace, for Virginia will have to bear the brunt of the battle.--Gov. Pickens/While massa tends to fightin dis hot weather, dis "counterband" Darkie and his Fambly will spend de Summer down to "Ole Pint Comfort.", Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Flag facing left with sun and clouds envelope
Image: The suns rays shine on a union flag, which faces left and sits in the foreground of the image., Verse 2408: then conquer we must, our cause it is just; And this be our motto, in God is our trust., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Flag facing right envelope
Image: Union flag facing right., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Flag facing right with cannon envelope
Image: A flag facing right, is weighted down by cannon balls behind a cannon that's just been fired., Verse 482: Death to traitors., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Flag facing right with text envelope
Image: Union flag facing right., Verse 1604: Our country and liberty., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Flogging envelope
Image: A kneeling slave, his feet and wrists bound by chains, is being flogged by a white overseer or master., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Fort Monroe envelope
Image: A group of slaves run away from the master on the cotton plantation in the direction of Fort Monroe. The white master prepares to crack his whip while an African American, who faces him, thumbs his nose in defiance. Refers to the contraband policy that banned soldiers from returning runaway slaves to their owners once they crossed Union lines., Verse 420: Come back here, you black rascal., Caption: Can't come back no how, massa; Dis chile's CONTRABAN', Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Fort Monroe envelope 2
Image: A group of slaves run away from the white master on the plantation in the direction of Fort Monroe. The white master prepares to crack his whip while an African American, who faces him, thumbs his nose in defiance. Refers to the Benjamin Butler's contraband policy that banned soldiers from returning runaway slaves to their owners once they crossed Union lines., Verse 421: Come back you black rascal., Caption: Can't koershun de's colours; we's de "Butler Contrabans", Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Fortifications on Price's Hill envelope
Image: Soldiers sit near two large cannons at the waterfront in the foreground. Several steamboats are on the Ohio river. A cityscape is depicted in the background., Verse 650: Fortifications on Price's Hill, Cincinatti, Ohio., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Fox envelope
Image: Jefferson Davis, depicted as a fox, carries two dead geese representing Tennessee and Virginia., Verse 2481: To Dixie's Land., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Friend Jane envelope
Image: A smiling Quaker woman holds a bayonet and takes a hat from a tall man who leans on his cane., Verse 678: Friend Jane - I have bought thee a Staff and Hat, which I hope will prove serviceable in these times., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Friend Susan and Friend Broadbrim envelope
Image: A Quaker woman carrying a parasol encounters another Friend, who carries a bayonet to a Friends' Meeting. A group of soldiers are lined up in the background. Mocks the Quaker pacifists who didn't want to contribute to the bloodshed., Verse 679: Friend Susan -- Why, Friend Broadbrim, what is thee doing with a musket and soldier clothes on! Friend Broadbrim -- I am going to the Friends' Meeting. Friend Susan -- Well, if thee does so, I hope the spirit will move thee to do something., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Friend Thomas envelope
Image: A soldier drops his sword in surprise when he sees Friend Thomas coming at him with a sword in support of the Union., Verse 680: Friend Thomas -- Oh! ho! so thee was a going to fight, friend Secede, was thee? I hope thee has found out now that the Quakers are sound on the Union., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Game cock envelope
Image: A bird has a humanized head, with frowning features. Inscribed in the tail feathers are the names Davis, Beauregard, and Toombs., Verse 2149: The Game Cock Secession after the fight., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Game cock envelope 2
Image: A bird has a humanized head, with frowning features. Inscribed in the tail feathers are the names Davis, Beauregard, and Toombs., Verse 2149: The Game Cock Secession, after the fight., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
George McClellan and Benjamin Butler envelope
Image: Three Union soldiers flank the bust portraits of George McClellan and Benjmain Butler., Verse 1300: Maj. Gen. Butler, Verse 1328: Maj. Gen. McClellan., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
George McClellan and Benjamin Prentiss envelope
Image: Four Union soldiers flank the bust portraits of George McClellan and Benjamin Prentiss., Verse 764: Gen. Prentiss., Verse 1328: Maj. Gen. McClellan., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
George McClellan and John Adams Dix envelope
Image: Three Union soldiers flank the bust portraits of George McClellan and John Adams Dix., Verse 1303: Maj. Gen. Dix., Verse 1328: Maj. Gen. McClellan., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
George McClellan and Lewis Blenker envelope
Image: Four Union soldiers flank the bust portraits of George McClellan and Lewis Blenker., Verse 746: Gen. L. Blenker., Verse 1328: Maj. Gen. McClellan., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
George McClellan and William Rosecrans envelope
Image: Three Union soldiers flank the bust portraits of George McClellan and William Rosecrans. Includes an anchor and ship in the background., Verse 772: Gen. Rosecranz., Verse 1328: Maj. Gen. McClellan., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
George McClellan bust portrait envelope
Image: Two zouaves, a Cameron Highlander with a bayonet and a member of the "Fighting 69th" with an upraised flag, flank a framed bust portrait of George B. McClellan., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
George McClellan with Union stars envelope
Image: This envelope has a wide blue border around every edge. 34 white stars are within the border with the initials of the 34 states. The letters of the word "UNION'" are printed in black and white stripes on the bottom half and blue with white stars on the top half. To the left is a large image, a bust, of Gen. McClellan in black and white., Verse: Major General McClellan, Caption: Union., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
George Washington bust envelope
Image: Bust profile of George Washington., Verse 1880: Shall the name of Washington ever be heard, By a Freeman, and thrill not his breast? Is there one out of bondage that hails not the name, Of Washington, Star of the West!, Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
George Washington bust portrait envelope
Image: George Washington's bust portrait is surrounded by Union bunting, including flags, bayonets, cannons, a drum, a sword, and an eagle., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
George Washington on rearing horse envelope
Image: George Washington sits on a rearing horse on a platform labeled "Union". The American flag is upraised behind him., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
George Washington pointing envelope
Image: George Washington has one foot on an artillery carriage. With a sword in his right hand, he points with his left hand., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
George Washington pointing to west front of Capitol envelope
Image: George Washington has one foot on an artillery carriage. With a sword in his right hand, he points with his left hand toward an adjacent birds-eye view of the west front of the U.S. Capitol building., Verse 2713: West Front of the Capitol., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
George Washington profile envelope
Image: In the upper left hand corner is a circle with the profile of an 18th century man, with long hair down his back, possibly George Washington. The caption is printed within the circle. The envelope was addressed in ink to: "J. A. McAllister", Verse: Kline's Emporium, 212 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, Pa. USA. Fine Stationery, coins, medals, engravings, minerals, shells, continental paper money, Indian curiosities, postage stamps, &c. &c., Caption: In God We Trust., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
George Washington rides next to monuments and landmarks envelope
Image: George Washington rides on a horse next to four views of Union-related monuments and landmarks, including the Washington Monument, Andrew Jackson Monument, Mount Vernon and the Tomb of Washington., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Georgia envelope
Image: Depicts a rough copy of Georgia's state seal, which is centered around an arch (state's constitution) with three pillars representing the three branches of government. Three caryatids are carved into the columns. Stars representing the U.S. states form a border around the outside of the envelope., Caption: Rebel Arms of Georgia., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Gleeful and horrified Southerner envelope
Image: Two side-by-side bust portraits of the same man. On the left side he's gleeful and smiling after hearing about "the terror stricken North," but looks horrified on the right side when he hears about Lincolns plans to increase the military budget and troop size., Verse 1572: One of the "Southern chivalry" after reading the Southern account of the terror stricken North / After reading Presid't Lincoln's Message, calling for $400,000,000 and 400,000 men., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector

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