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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New Hampshire envelope
Image: Lady Liberty wears a blue and white star-patterned top and a red and white striped skirt and is seated next to a pedestal displaying the phrase "Loyal to the Union State of New Hampshire." Her body is turned to the right, showing only a profile of her body. In her left hand is a pole carrying the Liberty cap. She holds aloft a seal very similar to the state seal of New Hampshire in her right hand. It depicts a ship on stocks, and people on the shore in the foreground., Caption: Loyal to the Union / State of New Hampshire., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Newark street scene envelope
Image: Horse-drawn carriages and carts travel along a wide commercial street in Newark, New Jersey. Includes store fronts and church spires., Verse 1456: Newark, N.J., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Northern soldier grasping southerner's throat envelope
Image: A Union soldier grasps the neck of a southerner who weilds a knife in his right hand., Verse 1497: Now, boasting Southron, hold thine own, no maiden's arms are round thee thrown! A Northern Freeman holds thee fast--yield! or this moment is thy last!, Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Old John Brown is dead, but I still live.
Image: Racist caricature showing an African American man smoking and dancing in celebration. Alludes to militant abolitionist John Brown's 1856 raid of Harper's Ferry to promote slave insurrections., Verse 1533: Old John Brown is dead, but I still live., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Ornamental border with Union flag and soldiers envelope
Image: Ornamental border depicting a Union flag, two soldiers and two profile portraits of a Native American man's face. Includes dotted lines for address., Verse 634: Forever float that standard-sheet!, Verse 1680: Our Union Volunteers., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Overseer envelope
Image: A white plantation owner stands with a whip tucked under his right arm and monitors slaves working in the field. A ship passes in the background., Verse 2500: To-day a king, tomorrow nothing., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Panorama of Washington D.C. with Washington Monument envelope
Image: Bird's eye view of Washington, D.C., showing a partial view of the Washington Monument and the Capitol building in the distance., Verse 1698: Panorama of Washington, D.C., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Panoramic view of fortifications around Washington, D.C. envelope
Image: Bird's eye view of Washington, D.C., showing bridges and settlement near the Potomac River(?)., Verse 1699: Panoramic View of the Fortifications around Washington., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Pennsylvania envelope
Image: Depicts the coat of arms of Pennsylvania, depicting a shield crested by a bald eagle and flanked by rearing horses. Inside the shield are symbols of Pennsylvania's strengths: a ship, a plow, and three sheafs of wheat. The phrase "Virtue, Liberty, Independence" adorns a banner under the shield. Red stars representing the states form a border around the outside of the envelope., Caption: Loyal Arms of Pennsylvania., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Pennsylvania landscape view envelope
Image: Landscape view with two horses and an eagle that resembles the coat of arms of Pennsylvania. A shield crested by a bald eagle is flanked by rearing horses. Inside the shield are symbols of Pennsylvania's strengths: a ship, a plow, and three sheafs of wheat. The phrase "Virtue, Liberty, Independence" adorns a banner under the shield. Buildings are visible in the left background., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Pennsylvania with ornate border envelope
Image: Depicts the coat of arms of Pennsylvania. A shield crested by a bald eagle is flanked by rearing horses. Inside the shield are symbols of Pennsylvania's strengths: a ship, a plow, and three sheafs of wheat. The phrase "Virtue, Liberty, Independence" adorns a banner under the shield. Other state seals form a border around the envelope., Verse 1708: Pennsylvania., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Philadelphia with soldier and sailor envelope
Image: On the left hand side of the envelope a soldier and a sailor talk. A cannon and anchor sit nearby, and a flag flies from the main mast of a ship in the background. On the right hand side of the envelope is a bird's eye view of Philadelphia., Verse 1711: Philadelphia., Caption: Key Stone State Soldiers "MOTTO," We live for the Union, We die for the Union, We uphold the Union., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Picket Post envelope
Image: Men relax and smoke their pipes on the property of a farmhouse in Virginia. One uniformed soldier stands behind a boy as he chops firewood., Verse 1713: Picket Post - Farmhouse in Virginia., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Prince Sauce-pan envelope
Image: An African American man, dressed awkwardly in ill-fitting armor, wears a saucepan on his head and carries a bottle in his right hand. "C.S.A." is written on his belt., Verse 25: A king for the south, they want a King down South--King Dahomey sends Prince Sauce-pan of the royal blood--this is his nigger-otype--from life.--, Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Procession envelope
Image: Ragtag military procession including soldiers riding horses or mules, a wagon labelled "pork and beans," and men carrying signs., Verse 78: Advance Guard, Grand Army C.S.A., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Procession envelope 2
Image: Ragtag military procession including soldiers riding horses or mules, a wagon labelled "pork and beans," and men carrying signs., Verse 258: Camp Dennison Envelope. -- "The Family" provided for., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Raising the flag envelope
Image: Two Union soldiers hoist the American flag, while an African American man watches nearby., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Rebel cabinet envelope
Image: Five cartoonish men write letters to Great Britain in the foreground, while Jefferson Davis presides over the group from a pedestal in the background., Verse 1090: Jeff announceth to ye rebell Cabinett ye grayte scheme of invytynge Grayte Brittayne to send out a Royal Babbie to take chge of ye Cottonocracy of ye South-ye whych produceth much merrymeant among ye Cabinett aforesayd., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Runaway family envelope
Image: A slave family, consisting of father, mother and two children, run toward Fort Monroe, away from the white master who is chasing them with a whip and chains. Refers to the contraband policy that banned soldiers from returning runaway slaves to their owners once they crossed Union lines., Verse 422: Come back you black rascal, Oh no, I can't come back, I'se contraband., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Runaway feet envelope
Image: Depicts an African American man's feet., Verse 1861: Secession's moving foundation. Tendency due North - via "Monroe"., Verse 2239: The "Peculiar Institution"., Caption: Negro-- Dis Child is a real Union niggar, and no mistake., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Runaway feet envelope 2
Image: Depicts an African American man's feet., Verse 1861: Secession's moving foundation. Tendency due North - via "Monroe"., Verse 2239: The "Peculiar Institution"., Caption: Negro-- Dis Child is a real Union niggar, and no mistake., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Runaway given santuary envelope
Image: A runaway grasps General Benjamin Butler for protection as his former owner approaches. Butler's sword is drawn and pointing at the slave owner, who is from one of the first families of Virginia. The slave owner is portrayed as a scarecrow holding a dog leash in one hand and a cat-o'-nine-tails in the other. Scene takes place in front of Fort Monroe. Refers to the contraband policy that banned soldiers from returning runaway slaves to their owners once they crossed Union lines., Verse 1568: One of the F.F.V.'s [First Families of Virginia] after his Contraband., General Butler "can't see it.", Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Runaway mother and child envelope
Image: An African American woman, with a bundle slung over her shoulder, runs behind a little boy. Secession is equated to runaway slaves., Verse 1840: Secession., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Runaways marching north envelope
Image: A long line of African American men and women march out of the South, with bundles slung over their shoulders and the guidance of the "North star"., Verse 1938: Southern Currency. Come along colored pussons., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Sabal Palmetto envelope
Image: Depicts the Sabal (or Cabbage) Palmetto flag, which is South Carolina's state flag., Verse: Southern Independence. We will defend it with our lives and fortunes., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Sailor and woman with cornucopia envelope
Image: A sailor stands holding a Union flag with both hands. Surrounding him are symbols of his trade, including an anchor, a barrel, and masts of a ship. A woman sits at his feet and leans against a cornucopia., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Sailor with telescope envelope
Image: A sailor in red, white and blue clothes stands on a ship, leans against the capstan, and looks right. He holds a telescope in his left hand and an anchor sits at his feet A Union flag is visible in the background., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Sailor with Union flag, shield and eagle envelope
Image: A sailor stands with Union symbols, including a flag, shield, cannon balls, and an eagle. Includes part of a carronade(?), Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Scott as an eagle envelope
Image: An eagle labeled "Scott" wears a plumed hat, and stands next to packages that represent "Washington sauce", and "Cotton". The constitution rests under his feet., Verse 987: I think you've sauce enough, sly bird, and e're you further go, you'll get some red-hot pepper, that will make you "jump Jim Crow.", Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
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. Union flags and a shield with stars and stripes decorate the border around the image described above., Verse 1834: Seal of New York City., Caption: The War for the Union., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Secesh fever envelope
Image: In a slave's quarters, Jefferson Davis, in a broad-brim hat checks the pulse of an emaciated bedridden slave with "Bond Plasters" on his chest. An angst-ridden slave stands behind the bed and in front of a wall with "Southern Remedies" posters which advertise "Dr Jeffy's Celebrated Bond Plasters" to "allay excitement" and "Dr. Jeffy's Celebrated Lettres Du Marque, A Radical Remedy for all Consitutional Affections" to "excite action." Depicts the ill effect of secession on slaves., Verse 1520: Oh! Massa Jeff, dis Secesh Fever will kill de Nigger., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
"Secession cavalry" envelope
Image: Instead of horses, four African American men charge forward with the weight of four white soldiers on their shoulders. One of the soldiers holds a Jolly Roger flag. A cabin sits in the background., Verse 1842: Secession cavalry., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Secession musicians envelope
Image: Two African American men celebrate secession by playing instruments, one of them a bagpipe, the other unidentified., Verse 2247: The playing out of Secession., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Ship envelope
Image: Depicts a ship at sea. The Union flag hangs near the masthead of the mainmast., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Shoe shiner envelope
Image: An African American man stands shoeless near a dresser polishing a pair of shoes. Massa Butler refers to Benjamin Butler, who started the contraband policy that banned soldiers from returning runaway slaves to their owners once they crossed Union lines., Verse 241: By golly Massa Butler. I like dis better dan workin' in de field for ole Sesesh massa.", Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Skull envelope
Image: A grotesque caricature of a skull with guns in its grinning mouth., Verse 55: A Rebel's masked battery., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Slave nursing white baby envelope
Image: Depicts a white baby suckling his African American mother's exposed breast., Verse 2456: Though now an unconscious on Ma Ma's breast, glorious destiny awaits the high born babe; A Knight, a Baron, a Duke. A Royal crest may yet upon his diadem wave., Caption: An Institution of the "C.S.A." - Cotton States Aristocracy.-, Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Slave nursing white baby envelope 2
Image: Depicts a white baby suckling his African American mother's exposed breast., Caption: The probable source of the aspirations after Kingly State and Royal splendor arising among the "C.S.A."--Cotton States Aristocracy, Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Slave pen in Alexandria, Virginia envelope
Image: Depicts the main building (left) and the right wing, which housed the slavequarters and holding pen for "surplus" slaves that were headed to markets in Mississippi. Once owned by Franklin & Armfield, Price, Birch & Co. owned this slave pen during the Civil War, when it became a jail under Union occupation., Verse 1911: Slave pen, Alexandria, Va., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector
Slave tied and flogged envelope
Image: A slave, shrinking in anticipation, is bound to a pole and flogged., Verse 2243: The persuasive eloquence of the Sunny South., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector

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