Block numbered 6009 in two places., Image of a girl standing at a table, looking over her shoulder., “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876.
Block numbered 6173 in one place., Image of a girl standing next to a boy who is seated at a table. The table is set for a meal; a portrait hangs on the wall in the background, “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “Susie’s mistake”—Inscribed on side of block.
Block numbered in two places: 5966, also 170 in three places, two now defaced., Image of a boy and a girl waving at or hailing an approaching train; the boy waves his hat in one hand and holds a basket in the other; the girl holds up both hands; there are trees on the far side of the track., Signed: Van Ingen-Snyder. Van Ingen & Snyder, a partnership between William H. Van Ingen and Henry M. Snyder, was active between 1853 and 1871., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856.
Block numbered in two places: 6132., Image of a woman and child walking; woman gestures to a building in the distance., "The Dark Places Frontisp."—Inscribed on side of block., “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., Side of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 7110, also 71010, 8010 in two places (defaced in one place), 1014 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a child gesturing to a man while resting his other hand on the man’s knee; the man regards the child and gestures with one of his hands; the man is bearded and wears some kind of robe or tunic; behind him is a table with what appears to be various pieces of silverwork on it., “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876.
Block numbered in three places: 6165., Image of a little girl washing what appear to be plants in the water of a pump, in the city of London. St. Paul’s Cathedral is in the background, as well as a man in a top hat and a well-dressed lady. There is a basket next to the little girl., “Our Father’s Cure…[unintelligible]” – inscribed on side of block., Illustration appears in "Our father's care" : a ballad (Philadelphia, between 1864 and 1893?), p. 11. This title was listed in American Sunday-School Union catalogues from 1864 to at least 1893. Caption of illustration -- "Then off to the pump she courageously goes.", Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block printed in two places: 3351., Image of a young boy holding what appears to be a lioness or panther by the neck with one hand, and dangling what may be a bunch of grapes in the air with his other hand; vines run up one side of the image., Illustration appears in Rhymes for the nursery (Philadelphia, 1865), p. 166.
Block numbered in two places: 6219., Image of two boys who appear to be quarreling. A basket of fish and a stick are on the ground in front of them., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856.
Block numbered in two places: 7900, also 383 [?] faintly in one place, and 1176 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a girl raising one arm while dancing on a small slope under a tree; she is surrounded by five other boys and girls and a woman holding a small child; one boy wears a cloth hat and shoes with pointed toes, possibly sabots or other clogs, and a pile of these shoes lies to the side of the dancing girl, who appears to wear a different style of heeled shoe; the rest of the children are barefoot, and the girls wear head-kerchiefs or coifs; the woman wears a dress with a broad skirt, possibly a hoop skirt; more trees are visible in the distance., Signed: B.
Block numbered in one place: 5819., Image of a very young child holding a bunch of flowers., Signed: Van Ingen-Snyder. Van Ingen & Snyder, a partnership between William H. Van Ingen and Henry M. Snyder, was active between 1853 and 1871.
Block numbered in two places: 9396, also 1333 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a boy and a smaller girl standing in the bow of a small boat, the front half of which is visible in the image; an empty shore is visible behind the boat; the boy rests one hand on the girl’s shoulder and points into the distance with the other hand; the boy appears to be wearing a Tam o’ Shanter or similar hat., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in three places: 6069., Image of a man and a child in an outdoor setting. The man, wearing a top hat and holding a cane, gestures to the child, who is sitting and crying., “Bend down [?] p. 60”—Inscribed on side of block.
Block numbered in two places: 7067., Image of a tall child who appears to be gesturing to three smaller children about the sundial; the youngest boy hold the edge of the sundial while another boy and girl look on; vines wrap around the sundial and clouds are visible in the sky., Signed: VI-S [i.e. Van Ingen-Snyder]. Van Ingen & Snyder, a partnership between William H. Van Ingen and Henry M. Snyder, was active between 1853 and 1871., "V. Grottenthaler, 402 Library St Phila." – Back of block. Vincent Grottenthaler is listed (as a dealer in boxwood) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1869 to 1876., Illustration appears in Child's world, v. 16 no. 7 (1877), p. 2, Illustration also appears in Child's world, v. 27, no. 1 (1870), p. 1.
Block numbered in one place: 6888., Image of a woman holding a bundle of sheaves of grain on her head with one hand and a small child’s hand in the other; the landscape appears to be hilly or mountainous and a spire or tall tent is visible in the background., Back of block obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 6640., Image of a boy grasping a flag with “Jesus” printed on it; he either carries the tall flagpole or grasps it as he reaches the place it is planted; the boy carries a book in his other hand; he walks along a path and possibly up a hill, and is covered by a beam of light., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper., Illustration appears in Child's world, v. 6 no. 24 (Dec., 1867), p. 3., Illustration also appears in Child's world, v.10 no. 6 (Mar., 1871), p. 4.
Block numbered in two places: 6646., Image of a girl holding out a bowl to a sated woman; a boy stands behind the girl, holding a basket., “…Phila.” – Back of block. Full address covered., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 6055., Image of a two girls, one of them sitting in front of an open suitcase. A dresser drawer is open. Various objects, including a doll, are scattered on the floor., “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., Illustration appears in Kate Morgan and her soldiers (Philadelphia, between 1862 and 1869), plate opposite p. [22].
Block numbered in two places: 490., Image of several children in a street outside doorways of what appear to be two row houses; four girls, one smaller and younger, pursue or follow a waving girl hurrying down the street; two boys leaning against a building look on and one holds his hat aloft; in the foreground is a post or street lamp., , Provenance:, , Variant:
Cased photographs retrospective conversion project., Mat: Ornamented oval., Case: Leather with a very ornate geometric design. Lacking cover., Gift of Mrs. A. Douglas Oliver, August 22, 1977.
Date
ca. 1856
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Cased photos [8326.F.4]
Cased photographs retrospective conversion project., Pad: Faded bugundy velvet. Urn in the center, large scrolls at corners., Mat: Modified nonpareil., Case: Leather. A young woman is in the center holding a large spray of flowers and leaves. Fancy scrolls are all around. Swirling lines on back. The design of the case is called Maiden with Cornucopia and is plate 163 in American Miniature Case Art by Floyd and Marion Rinhart (Cranbury, New Jersey: A. S. Barnes and Co., Inc., 1969.) Produced in quantity, ca. 1851., Gift of Mrs. A. Douglas Oliver, August 22, 1977., Reference: CRH/1978. Source to be identified.
Date
ca. 1850
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Cased photos [8326.F.6]
Paper doll of an unclothed figure of a young Black girl with moveable limbs. The girl is depicted with short, cropped, tightly curled hair, auburn eyes, and slightly smiling. A blue-beaded string necklace adorns her neck. She also wears white, above-the-ankle length socks and black "Mary Jane" shoes. The articulated limbs are attached by brass brads to a white cardboard torso, likely not the original. About the late 1880s, Littauer & Boysen (established circa 1882), a premier German chromolithographer of novelties, began to print articulated dolls for the paper box company. Dennison sold the German firm's dolls to further market its special line of tissue/crepe paper as doll's clothing. The Massachusetts company, established 1844, also manufactured shipping tags, gummed labels, and holiday tags. The firm opened a salesroom in Philadelphia in 1862. In 1898, the firm consolidated operations in Framingham, Ma. from plants in Roxbury, Ma. Brooklyn, N.Y., and Brunswick, Me. where it was originally established in 1844., Title supplied by cataloger., Manufactured and distributed by Dennison Manufacturing Company, Ma., Publication information from Mary Young, 20th Century Paper Dolls Identification and Values (Collector Books, 2006)., Date inferred from published sources, the years of operation of the publisher, and the early era of the style of footwear depicted., Purchased with funds from Walter J. Miller Trust for the Visual Culture Program., Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
Date
[ca. 1885-ca. 1895]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department *ephemera - paper dolls [P.2015.68.1]
Block numbered in two places: 3898, also 172 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of two girls and a boy; the younger girl reaches up toward the older girl, who points or extends her hand toward the boy; the boy extends a ball in his hand; a small racket or paddle lies on the ground.
Block numbered in two places: 9246, also 1779 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a man and a woman sitting on wooden chairs in front of a mantel; the woman wears a bonnet or mob cap and regards the bearded man, who holds a small child on his lap; the child stands and reaches for the man’s hair., Signed: R.G.J. Sc., “Grot[tentha]ler” – Back of block. Vincent Grottenthaler is listed (as a dealer in boxwood) in Philadelphia city directories from 1867 to 1876., Wood engraving (Process), End-grain blocks.
Block numbered in two places: 5902., Image of a man talking to two children, a boy and a girl, in an interior setting. The boy appears to be holding a hammer [?] and is handing something to the man., Signed in reverse: Van Ingen-Snyder [i.e. Van Ingen & Snyder], Van Ingen & Snyder, a partnership between William H. Van Ingen and Henry M. Snyder, was active between 1853 and 1871., “Flaw” -- inscribed on back of block., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” -- Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856.
Block numbered in two places: 6007., Image of a woman who appears to be cooking in a pot over the stove; a cat stands at her feet; four children of varying ages sit at a table with mugs and bowls. Shelves hold plates and mugs., “N.J. Wemmer. 215 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., Illustration appears in Child's world, v. 1, no. 10 (May, 1862), p. 5.
Block numbered in two places: 5888, also numbered 15 in two places, now defaced., Image of a boy and a girl in an outdoor setting, walking. The girl is towing the boy by the hand., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” -- Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856.
Block numbered in three places: 6274., Image of two girls in an interior setting. One girl is holding an object intently, and appears to be in some distress, and the other girl appears to be trying to reassure her. Present in the room is a portrait on the wall, a dresser with a mirror, an ottoman, and a chair., Illustration appears in The tattler (Philadelphia, between 1864 and 1893?), p. 195. This title was listed in American Sunday-School Union catalogues from 1864 to at least 1893. Caption of illustration -- "'There, now, see what you have done! You have spoilt it!' exclaimed Patty.", Signed in reverse: Avery SC., “Wells 42 Ann St. NY” -- back of block. Darius Wells is listed at this address (as a dealer in woodtype) in New York city directories from 1841 to 1844., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in five places: 6345., Image of an old man leaning on a cane, who appears to be offering a coin to a small boy. They are outside of a house, directly in front of a fence., “Thy Poor Brother. M.S. p. 87” -- inscribed on side of block., Illustration appears in ‘Thy poor brother’ : letters to a friend on helping the poor (Philadelphia, between 1865 and 1893?), frontispiece and p. 113. This title was listed in American Sunday-School Union catalogues from Jan. 1865 to at least 1893. Caption of illustration -- "He put his trembling hand in his pocket and gave the child a halfpenny.", “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila.” -- Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “A.S.S.U” -- Back of block.
Block numbered in two places: 6881., Image of a squatting girl and standing boy regarding a boy who reclines on the floor with his head in his hands; the children are in what appears to be some kind of parlor, and a grandfather clock, framed pictures, a chest of drawers, and a chair with a cloth hanging over the back of it., Inscribed on back of block: “Lolla is the Little Piu [?]’ MS. P. 116” [defaced]; also inscribed: “Annie [illegible] Bible Verse p. 18., Illustration appears in Child's world, v. 16, no. 16 (1877), p. 3.
Block numbered in two places: 8600., Image of a boy and a girl leading a sheep out to graze, in a natural setting. There are birds and a building in the background., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in four places: 6999., Image of a woman, a boy, and a girl, surrounded by plants in what appears to be a greenhouse; the girl looks up at the woman while the woman and boy look at a potted plant on a step shelf., "V. Grottenthaler, 402 Library St Phila." – Back of block. Vincent Grottenthaler is listed (as a dealer in boxwood) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1869 to 1876., Illustration appears in Child's world, vol. 8, no. 9 (May 1869), p.1.
Block numbered in two places: 5838, also 45 in two places faintly, 34 in one place, 4 (defaced) before the number 5838 in two places., Image of three children looking at a cage with a mouse in it; the cage is placed on the seat of a chair, and a cat stands beside the chair., Signed: Van Ingen-Snyder. Van Ingen & Snyder, a partnership between William H. Van Ingen and Henry M. Snyder, was active between 1853 and 1871., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856., Illustration appears in New book of two hundred pictures, p. 75.
Block numbered in two places: 6214., Image of two women in European-style dresses facing five children, the boys wearing short tunics, the girl a dress, a veil, and earrings; one of the women is seated and appears to be reading or instructing from a book; they sit under an umbrella or patio covering, and a palm tree is visible in the distance., “Am.S.S.U” – Back of block in two places., “African Monitor Girl.” – Inscribed on side of block., “N.J. Wemmer. 215 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876.
Block numbered in two places: 7008, also 1273 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a woman, five girls, and one boy; all face inward in a close group, and the youngest children reaches up toward a girl in front of her., "V. Grottenthaler, 402 Library St Phila." – Back of block. Vincent Grottenthaler is listed (as a dealer in boxwood) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1869 to 1876., “Dr Kendall’s [?]” – Inscribed on back of block., , Provenance:, , Variant:
Block numbered in one place: 6910., Image of a small child in an interior setting. The child appears to be looking at a book on a nearby table., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 6757, also 1504 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of three men looking down at a small girl who stands, leaning her head against the leaf of a table; one man sits backwards on a chair, another leans on the table, and the third stands upright, holding a long reed in his mouth., “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876.
Block numbered in two places: 5853, also numbered 66 in two places, now defaced., Image of three boys in a street. They appear to be in conversation, and one of them appears to be holding a kite., Signed in reverse: Van Ingen Snyder [i.e. Van Ingen & Snyder], Van Ingen & Snyder, a partnership between William H. Van Ingen and Henry M. Snyder, was active between 1853 and 1871., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” -- Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856.
Block numbered in two places: 7241, also 1074 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of four men and a woman outdoors; all stand except for one man who sits with one knee pulled up, and the standing woman carries a small child in a wrap on her back; the men wear loose draped garments, sashes, and appear to have collars on their clothes; one appears to have a small mustache; behind them are several palm trees., N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876.
Block numbered in two places: 7083, also 1426 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of two seated girls and what appears to be a standing young man indoors beside a window; they appear to be looking out of the window, and one of the girls holds needlework in her hands., "V. Grottenthaler, 402 Library St Phila." – Back of block. Vincent Grottenthaler is listed (as a dealer in boxwood) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1869 to 1876., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down piece of paper., “Page [?] B[?]” – Inscribed on back of block.
Block numbered in one place: 6889., Image of several children in a room; several girls in the foreground walk further into the crowd, holding hands., “N.J. Wemmer. 215 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block in three places. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., Block damaged: cracked., Illustration appears in Child's world, v. 17 no. 5 (1878), p. 1.
Block numbered in two places: 7198, also 1009 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of two boys and a girl sitting in and in front of a doorway; the boy and girl sitting in the doorway hold hands; an older girl or young woman looks down at them from inside the doorway; beside the door is a barrel with a small basin or bowl under its tap., Signed: I.C. [?], "V. Grottenthaler, 402 Library St Phila." – Back of block. Vincent Grottenthaler is listed (as a dealer in boxwood) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1869 to 1876.
Block numbered in two places: 3554, also 1214 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a boy sitting in a cluttered room, perhaps in an attic; the boy kneels in front of an open chest, regarding pages titled with the words “Holy Bible”; rope lies on the ground in front of him and a ladder leans against the wall behind him., Reading., Christianity.
Block numbered in one place: 7097, also 1380 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of three children in a room with a sloped ceiling; one girl wearing a dark cloak crouches down and holds something toward a seated child under a blanket, possibly on a cot on the floor; behind the crouching girl is a standing girl wearing a hat and a striped dress., N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down piece of paper., Illustration appears in Child's world, v. 16 no. 15, p. 2.
Block numbered in one place: 6263, also 1420 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of two men in top hats walking toward or facing each other in a street; one holds a walking stick in one hand, and the other has one hand in his pocket and holds the other with palm flat toward the men; behind them is a large crowd of people, including a few adults and a large number of children sitting, standing, and playing; a few buildings are visible behind them, including one with a bell tower., “Am.S.S.U” – Back of block., “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down piece of paper.
Block numbered in two places: 5839, also 44 in one place, 31 faintly in one place., Image of three children playing with blocks; one boy kneels and places a block at the top of a tower while a second boy stands ready with another block; a girl sits in a small chair and holds a pile of blocks in her lap; the open box of blocks is visible in the foreground., Signed: Van Ingen-Snyder. Van Ingen & Snyder, a partnership between William H. Van Ingen and Henry M. Snyder, was active between 1853 and 1871., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856., Illustration appears in New book of two hundred pictures, p. 76 and Child's world, v. 6 no. 12 (Jun., 1867), p. 2.
Block numbered in two places: 7201., Image of a girl showing a paper or book to a young woman seated in a chair in front of a window with flower pots on it; a shorter boy stands beside her and a younger one sits behind her on the ground, holding something; a painting hangs against the far wall., Signed: Van Ingen-Snyder. Van Ingen & Snyder, a partnership between William H. Van Ingen and Henry M. Snyder, was active between 1853 and 1871., "V. Grottenthaler, 402 Library St Phila." – Back of block. Vincent Grottenthaler is listed (as a dealer in boxwood) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1869 to 1876.
Block numbered in three places: 6593, also 372 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a man wearing a turban gazing forward while holding what appears to be a long pipe to his lips; a child crawls on the floor and a young woman or older girl sits behind him on what appears to be a loft bed or other high piece of furniture., “N.J. Wemmer. 215 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876, “Am.S.S.U” – Back of block.
Block numbered in two places: 6443, also 1253 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a man, a woman, and a girl standing on what appears to be a porch; the man holds a pointer or stick horizontally in the air and the girl runs under it toward an approaching figure, either a young man or an older boy., “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “Ni[?] Tav[e]rn” – Inscribed on back of block.
