Stevens-Cogdell/Sanders-Venning Collection Photographs
Title
Stevens-Cogdell/Sanders-Venning Collection Photographs
Stevens-Cogdell/Sanders-Venning Hinkson Portrait Collection
Title
[Steven-Cogdell/Sanders-Venning Hinkson family group portrait collection]
Description
Collection of group portrait photographs, including members of the Hinkson line of the African American middle-class Stevens-Cogdell and Sanders-Venning family. Portraits depict a 1929 group portrait photograph of the Christian Street Y.M.C.A. volleyball team, including Dehaven Hinkson; a 1932 portrait photograph of a “Bon Voyage” children’s party for sisters Cordelia Hinkson (Brown) and Mary Hinkson (daughters of Dehaven and Cordelia Chew Hinkson)(P.2015.46.1); a ca. 1950 photograph of a group of several woman, during a dinner party, posed around a large formally-set dining table, including Dorothy Abele Gatling, Mary Venning, Martha Venning Bowie, Agnes Chew Upshur, Cordelia Chew Hinkson, Julia Capps Venning, and Georgine Saunders Chew; ca. 1950 group portraits of members of the men’ organization the Boulé, including Dehaven Hinkson, Richard J. Warwick, and Eugene T. Hinson; and a 1950 Theresa Studio photograph of the men's social club Commissioners of Philadelphia annual June dinner and dance at the Theresa Hotel (Harlem, N.Y.C.) (P.2015.46.7), including William Warrick, Mabel Lawson Warrick, Dehaven Hinkson, Cordelia Chew Hinkson, William G. Upshur, and Agnes Chew Upshur; and a ca. 1955 group portrait of the women’s social group the Geace (P.2015.46.2), possibly during their golden anniversary, including Mary Venning, Martha Venning Bowie, Agnes Chew Upshur, Dorothy Abele Gatling, Mabel Lawson Warrick, and Cordelia Chew Hinkson., The "Bon Voyage" party was a farewell party before Dehaven Hinkson and his family relocated to Europe for his post-graduate studies. The Geace Club evolved from the women meeting as adolescents as members of the Sunshine Club. The Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, also known as the Boulé, is the first Greek-letter fraternity founded by African Americans in 1904. Members have already received their college and professional degrees at the time of inclusion. Richard J. Warwick and Eugene T. Hinson were founding members. The Commissioners was founded in 1933 by prominent African American Philadelphians as a men's social club "to promote social involvement among members of the community.", Title supplied by cataloger., Date inferred from content., Photographers include Frank W. Harris, G. Marshall Wilson, and the Theresa Studio., See Lib. Company. Annual Report, 1991, p. 26-31., Gift of descendants Cordelia H. Brown, Lillie V. Dickerson, Mary Hinkson Jackson, and Georgine E. Willis in honor of Phil Lapsansky., See LCP exhibit catalogue: African American Miscellany p. 45., Genealogical charts available at repository., Several of the sitters of the photographs were identified by the donor. Photocopies with the identified sitters housed at the repository., Housed with Stevens-Cogdell and Sanders-Venning and Chew Families Miscellaneous Portraits Collection [P.2013.14]., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
Date
[1929-ca. 1950]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Stevens-Cogdell/Sanders Venning Collection [P.2015.46]
Georgine E. Upshur Willis collection
Title
[Georgine E. Upshur Willis collection]
Description
Collection of primarily 20th-century photographs, ephemera, manuscript and textual materials related to trained undertaker Georgine Upshur Willis and her extended family, including descendants of the African American middle-class Stevens-Cogdell and Sanders-Venning families. Majority of collection is photographs, studio and professional portraits, as well as snapshots of Georgine E. Upshur Willis and her parents Agnes S. Upshur, a teacher, and William A. Upshur, an undertaker and Pennsylvania State representative, at various ages and dating between the 1920s and early 1970s. Includes images of Georgine as a baby, with her parents and grandparents (Charles Sanders Chew and Georgine Saunders Chew), at her coming out party, in her University of Pennsylvania college yearbook and graduation photograph, and several group portrait photographs, predominately dating to the late 1940s and early 1950s. Group portrait photographs include views of Georgine in costume in a 1934 Book Week Play, at her 1949 engagement party and wedding to anthropologist and ethnohistorian William Willis, Jr., recreating in Atlantic City, at holiday events, and at other friends and family gatherings. William A. Upshur portraits include a photograph of his meeting with Richard Nixon at the 1960 GOP Convention. Several of the professional photographs were taken by African American photographers, including John Gaston Devigne, Frank W. Harris, Jr., and John W. Mosley. Photographs also depict an 1890 group portrait, including Rennie and Sallie Venning (Holden) (P.2022.16.41), at an outside location; a modern reproduction of a portrait of Charles S. Chew (Georgine Upshur’s grandfather); a circa 1920s portrait of an unidentified woman and her baby; and two circa 1950 color photographs of landscape views of Fisher’s Island, N.Y., Ephemera materials are comprised of postcards, invitations and announcements, certificates, programs, and scraps dated predominately between the 1920s and 1950. The materials include a circa 1930 Gorges Du Loup postcard booklet; postcards addressed to Mrs. Julia Venning or Mr. and Mrs. George Venning containing views of Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Wildwood, N.J.; invitations/announcements to the 1921 Henpeck’s Annual Ball (William B. Holden, Committee President), Georgine E. Upshurs high school and college graduations, and the 1921 wedding of Cordelia Sanders and Dr. Dehaven Hinkson; University of Pennsylvania Bachelor of Arts diploma issued to Georgine Elizabeth Upshur, 1943; ca. 1939 program for Georgine E. Upshur’s induction into the Sophrosyne Chapter of The National Honor Society; and the 1950 program for Dr. Eric Reiss presents for The Blockley Medical Society Philadelphia General Hospital “Osler Slept Here.”, Manuscript and related materials primarily contain correspondence and newspaper clippings dated between the 1920s and 1950s. Correspondence includes a 1928 letter to William B. Holden about the “charges of the moral character of your Rector” of the Church of the Crucifixion; a 1938 and 1942 letter about Georgine E. Upshur, respectively, being elected to the honor society and nomination for membership in the University of Pennsylvania Delta Chapter of the National Social Science Honor Society, Pi Gamma Mu; and a 1942 letter from the City of Philadelphia Department of Public Welfare, Bureau of Recreation about swimming training. Newspaper clippings relate to the 1921 engagement and wedding of Cordelia Sanders Chew and Dr. Dehaven Hinkson; Georgine Upshur and a Y.W.C.A. baby contest, her Philadelphia High School for Girls graduation and coming out parties, and passing of the state mortician’s exam circa 1949; the 1930 musical recital of Georgine E. Upshur’s maternal aunt Mary Saunders Patterson; the 1954 death of Charles S. Chew accompanied by mourning cards and a pressed flower; and the death of the Hinkson’s dog Patchy accompanied by a plot receipt and business card for the Cheltenham Pet Cemetery. A 1932 "My Trip Abroad" day journal of Agnes C. Upshur, including an insert of her passport with a passport photograph of her and young daughter Georgine E. Upshur also comprises the manuscript material. The trip to Europe, included visits to Paris, Genoa, Florence, Venice, and Geneva., Collection also includes “Diary of the Women of the Class of 1943, University of Pennsylvania, The 1943 Almanack” containing inserts of correspondence, documents, and programs related to Georgine E. Upshur’s college education at University of Pennsylvania; The Philadelphia Inquirer Sunday Magazine, Civil War Issue, April 9, 1961; and The Saturday Evening Post, November 10, 1962 issue with mailing label for Dr. DeHaven Hinkson., Title supplied by cataloger., Date inferred from content., Photographers include Gaston Devigne, Harper, Frank W. Harris, Jr., John W. Mosley, Dan E. Paul, and Albert Sexton., RVCDC, See Lib. Company. Annual Report, 1991, p. 26-31., Gift of descendant Cordelia H. Brown in honor of Phil Lapsansky., See LCP exhibit catalogue: African American Miscellany p. 45., Genealogical charts available at repository., Descriptive inventory, including with names of portrait sitters, available at repository., Reference copies and miscellaneous related materials located with collection., Digital catalog record includes select images from the collection.
Date
[1890-ca. 1990, bulk ca. 1921-ca. 1950]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Stevens-Cogdell/Sanders Venning Collection - Upshur Willis Collection [P.2022.16]
[Stevens-Cogdell/Sanders-Venning family photograph album]
Title
[Stevens-Cogdell/Sanders-Venning family photograph album]
Description
Album compiled by a member of the African American middle-class Stevens-Cogdell and Sanders-Venning family containing portrait photographs of family and friends. Majority of contents are unidentified and include professionally photographed cabinet cards, cartes de visite, and tintypes, as well as snapshots. Several of the professional photographs also show props, including a baby's swing, fur rug, wicker chairs and stools. Other portraits include women dressed in early 20th-century beach attire, a ca. 1920's photo of a woman with a ukulele; and two men posed in front of an entryway draped in an American flag. Album also contains a reproduction of an unidentified painted portrait photograph; ca. 1828 silhouettes of Richard C. Cogdell and his brother Charles S. Cogdell (sons of Richard and Cecilia Cogdell) stamped on verso cut by Master Hankes, i.e., Jarvis F. Hanks; and a clipped periodical illustration depicting Maria Walpole, Countess of Waldegrave., Sitters include Cordelia Chew Hinkson and her daughter Cordelia Hinkson Brown as a baby (inside cover & insert before p. 32); Lillie Dickerson (p. 8); George Venning (insert before p. 10); Florence I. Warwick as a child and adult (insert before p. 10 & 24); Richard DeReef Venning (insert before p. 18 & 36); Louise Sanders Venning (insert before p. 32); and possibly Cordelia Chew (p. 36)., Title supplied by cataloger., Date inferred from content., Some loose photographs contain identity of sitter and date inscribed on verso. Some inscriptions barely legible., Twelve ca. 1920s 2x3 snapshots showing vacation portraiture pasted on inside front cover., Two photographs inserted in slot on p. 8., Date of silhouettes inferred from active dates in Charleston, S.C. of silhouettist Jarvis F. Hanks. See Charleston Courier, March 13, 1828, 2 and "For A Few Days," Charleston Courier, March 31, 1928, 3., Various photographers, including Philadelphia photographers Baumgardner & Hebling; H. D. Garns (& Co.); L. Blaul; Kuebler; Swain & Bridle; M. Herbert Bridle; 1XL Gallery; Larkin Gallery; F. S. Keeler; Bell Studio; and Henrici & Garns., See Lib. Company Annual Report, 1991, p. 26-31., Gift of descendants Cordelia H. Brown, Lillie V. Dickerson, Mary Hinkson Jackson, and Georgine E. Willis in honor of Phil Lapsansky., See LCP exhibit catalogue: African American Miscellany p. 45., Genealogical charts available at repository., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of the Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
Date
[ca. 1860 - ca. 1925]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Stevens-Cogdell/Sanders-Venning Collection [P.2012.37.2]
Juno excites Vulcan to dry up the river Xanthus to preserve Achilles from being drowned [graphic].
Title
Juno excites Vulcan to dry up the river Xanthus to preserve Achilles from being drowned
Description
Drawing probably after a book plate illustrating a scene from Book 21, "The Battle in the River Scamander," in the Iliad of Homer. Shows the female figure Juno in a diaphanous gown attracting the male figure Vulcan by placing her hand on his shoulder. Vulcan holds a torch in each hand over the near completely naked Achilles partially prone, arms outstretched, and next to the figure Xanthus. Xanthus (i.e., River Scamander) empties two cisterns of water that flow like a waterfall past a Trojan soldier partially emerged in a river of water. Scene also includes billows of smoke and darks clouds in the background., Title from item., Name of artist and date from manuscript note on verso: John Stephano Cogdell, Pinxit 12 April 1798., See Lib. Company Annual Report, 1991, p. 26-31., Gift of descendants Cordelia H. Brown, Lillie V. Dickerson, Mary Hinkson Jackson, and Georgine E. Willis in honor of Phil Lapsansky., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points reviewed 2022., John Stevens (Stephano) Cogdell (1778-1847), brother of Richard W. Cogdell, born near Charleston, S.C. on September 19, 1778, was a lawyer by profession, as well as a painter and sculptor. Predominantly self-trained as an artist, Cogdell began his studies by creating watercolor copies of prints, and was later mentored by Boston artist Washington Allston. His works were exhibited at various institutions, including the National Academy of Design and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Through his legal background, he served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, comptroller of South Carolina, and president of the Bank of South Carolina from 1832 to 1847. Cogdell's brother, Richard W. Cogdell (1787-1866), was the white patriarch of the middle-class, multiracial, African American Philadelphia family Stevens-Cogdell and Sanders-Venning.
Creator
Cogdell, John S. (John Stevens), 1778-1847, artist
Date
[April 12, 1798]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department drawings & watercolors - C [P.2012.55]
[Sarah Sanders Venning diaries transcriptions].
Title
Diaries
Description
Three volumes of The standard diary (Philadelphia, 1890-1892), belonging to Sarah Sanders Venning Holden, each stamped in gold on front cover: The Real Estate Trust Co. 1340 Chestnut St. Philadelphia. Sallie Venning composed brief daily entries, noting her activities, social engagements, visitors, vacations, and substitute-teaching assignments. There are accounts, and names and addresses at the end of each volume., Sarah Sanders Venning, known as Sallie, was born in Philadelphia Aug. 12, 1872, daughter of Julia and Edward Y. Venning. She was a substitute teacher. She married William B. Holden in 1903 and was widowed in 1928. She was active in St. Thomas African Episcopal Church and in various women's clubs. She died in 1959.
Creator
Holden, Sarah Sanders Venning, 1872-1959
Date
1890-1892
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts MSS Steven-Cogdell-Sanders-Venning Collection Box 4, Folder 3.
[Album of Richard DeReef Venning] [graphic].
Title
[Album of Richard DeReef Venning]
Description
Photograph album of African American government worker Richard DeReef Venning, a member of the African American middle-class Stevens-Cogdell and Sanders-Venning family, and containing predominantly unidentified portraits of African American and white men, women, and children, including family and friends. Contains bust, half and full-length portraits, often studio portraits. Several of the female sitters wear ornate hairstyles and many sitters also wear crosses. Also contains a carte de visite reproduction of a painted portrait of possibly George Cogdell (p.16) and a carte de visite inscribed “Pete” and “Sam” showing two men in checkered patterned jumper costumes, wigs, hats, and full-face masks (p.18). Identified sitters include Samuel Le Count Cook (p.2, photograph dated 7/4/[18]90 and imprint of DC photographer Rice on verso, ), Edward W. Venning (p.13, photograph dated 1869 and imprint of Philadelphia photographer G.W. Cheston on verso), Sarah Venning (p.13 &14, imprint of Philadelphia photographer Larkin on the verso), Richard DeReef Venning (p.13, photograph dated 12/7/[18]74 on recto and imprint of Philadelphia photographer Henrici & Garns on verso), Sarah Ann Sanders, daughter of Sarah Sanders (p.14, lower right, ca. 1865, inscribed on recto: S.A.S.; imprint of Philadelphia photographer B.F. Reimer and "property of ed. y.v." inscribed on verso), Cordelia Chew Hinkson (p.35), and Cordelia Hinkson Brown as a baby (p.35). Other sitters may possibly be William H. Chew (p.1), Addie Howard (p.3) and George Washington Musgrave (group portrait, p.19)., Album also contains a portrait signed "Ellie" (p. 22, photograph dated 11/16/[1875] and imprint of NY photographer G.H. Johnson on verso) and an unidentified portrait that is likely Cordelia Sanders (Chew) and her sons Richard and Charles Chew (p.15, lower left, imprint of Philadelphia photographer Miles & Foster on verso). Another unidentified portrait is likely Jacob C. White, co-founder of the Pythians, Philadelphia's first African American baseball club (p. 27, upper left, imprint of Philadelphia photographer Gutekunst). Also contained are inserted portraits (rehoused on boards and with album), including one of a Black man inscribed "H.S.S." and Jan. 11/82 on the recto and verso of the mount (L.W. Cook, Boston, photographer) and one of a Black woman inscribed "Respects of Marie" on the verso (J.P. Silver, photographer)., Title supplied by cataloger., Date inferred from content., Contains title page: Album. Page illustrated with ornamental border., Contains several loose portraits., Various photographers, including Philadelphia photographers H. D. Garns & Co., G. W. Chesterton, African American photographer Gallo Cheston, Larkin Gallery, O. B. DeMorat, C. Hagemann & Co., Henrici & Garns, B. F. Reimer, H. D. Garns & Co., Miles & Foster, Broadbent & Phillips, M. S. Hagaman, Lothrop’s Ferrotype Gallery, Germon, J. Fenton, J. P. Silver, Parlor Galleries, as well as Washington, D.C. photographers Kets Kemethy and Rice, Norfolk photographer J. A. Faber, Trenton photographer J. Bainbridge, Charleston photographer Jesse E. Bolles, Boston photographer L. W. Cook, Salem photographer Smith & Bousley, and New York photographer G. H. Johnson., Inscription on front free end paper: R.D. Reef Venning, June 12/84, Washington, D.C., Some of the photographs contain inscriptions, including dates, identifications, and valedictions, on the versos., Label pasted on back cover: No. 464 Gately & Haskell, booksellers, Hoen building, Baltimore, MD., Ca. 1900 pastel portrait of possibly Clara, nurse to children and grandchildren of Sarah Sanders and R. W. Cogdell (P.9367.32, Stevens-Cogdell/ Sanders-Venning Collection) after ca. 1875 tintype photographed by J. Fenton (729 South St., Phila) P.2012.37.1.23b originally inserted in album and housed with album., See Lib. Company Annual Report, 1991 p. 26-31., Gift of descendants Cordelia H. Brown, Lillie V. Dickerson, Mary Hinkson Jackson, and Georgine E. Willis in honor of Phil Lapsansky., See LCP exhibit catalogue: African American Miscellany p. 45., Genealogical charts available at repository., Some photographs dated during conservation treatment in July 2021. Conservation notes in collection research file at repository (Graphic Arts Department)., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of the Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022., Richard DeReef Venning (1846-1929), born in Philadelphia, was son of seamstress Elizabeth and carpenter Edward W. Venning. Venning worked as a grocer in Philadelphia before being appointed as a clerk to the Eastern Division of the Pension Office in 1881. He resided in Washington, D.C. from the early 1880s to early 1900s, and boarded with the African American Presbyterian minister Francis Grimké and his brother, lawyer and diplomat Archibald Grimké for several years. In 1914, Venning returned to Philadelphia and lived with his nephew George E. Venning's family who referred to him as "Dah." The family was active in the Philadelphia African American political, social, educational, and cultural community from the 1850s to the 20th century, including the St. Thomas P.E. Church, Church of the Crucifixion, Central Presbyterian Church, the Colored Institute of Youth, and the Citizens Republican Club.
Creator
Venning, Richard DeReef, 1846-1929
Date
[ca. 1865 - ca. 1922]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Stevens-Cogdell/Sanders-Venning Collection [P.2012.37.1]