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 one place: 6450, also 1269 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a seated man pointing toward a standing boy and holding a walking stick in his other hand; to their side is a table which has what appears to be a propped-up book on it., “Every man his own fortune-teller” – Inscribed on back of block.
Block numbered in two places: 4644., Image of a man in a uniform speaking with a man on a horse; man in uniform gesturing behind himself; house shown in distance., “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., Side of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
The valentine shows a large-chested man walking in a field. He holds a top hat., Text: You conceited old fogie, with face of Brass, / By nature intended for an ass; / But ape the Biped of two-legged kind, / With stomach, all a bag of wind. / Seek for thy wife in Afies clime, / And be her faithful Valentine., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
Block numbered in one place: 6391, also 1278 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a girl inside a gated yard watching a man, a boy, and a girl ride down the street on horses; buildings are visible in the background., Back of block obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 7106, also 8006 [?] in two places (both defaced), and 1385 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a lion attaching a man (or boy) in a rocky landscape; one of his arms is in the lion's mouth; he holds a small knife in his other hand; a small animal (possibly a lamb) appears to be beside him., '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: 7118, also 8018 in two places (both defaced)., Image of nine small illustrations; in the first four a squirrel retrieves and then drops a nut; in the next five a tree grows where the nut was dropped, and the tree is cut for wood used to construct a church., "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. 27 no 7 (1870), p. 1.
A frowning man wears a red waistcoat and a green frock coat. The valentine mocks the recipient for being large and deficient., Text: Believe me when I say I've always thought / That you were simply nothing -- a big naught; / I'd like to know what 't'is you want a wife for, / For she would nothing gain except a cypher., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
Block numbered in two places: 9341, also 1605., Image of a bearded man wearing a flowing garment and a head wrap or cap; he holds a thin ornamented rod or stick in one hand and sits cross-legged, staring ahead of him and to the side., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down piece of paper.
Block numbered 6253 in two places., Image of a woman and a man seated at a table; the man has a book in front of him; a mantelpiece is in the background., “The Young Wife, p. 89 [illegible] ‘He bent over the little book’”—Inscribed on side of block.
Block numbered in two places: 4512, also 1613 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of two men, one seated and one standing; the standing man faces the seated man, resting one hand on a table and extending his other hand slightly; the seated man appears to regard the other with fear or sadness; behind the seated man is a candelabra, and a top hat has either been dropped and falls through the air or rests at an angle on some surface not visible in the image., Signed: H.D.
A young man wears a stove-pipe hat, red jacket, and boots, marking him as a Bowery B'hoy, or young working class man from the Five Points neighborhood in New York City. He stands in front of another male figure who smokes a pipe and wears a stove-pipe hat. "Get the bag" means to be fired., Text: Each swollen eye, each dirty rag, / Of brawls and battles tell us; / You seek my heart -- you'll get the bag, / And won't get nothing else., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
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 two places: 3248 (4 printed over other faint 8 in one place), also 1896 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a man in a top hat speaking to a boy; the boy places his hand on the man’s hand, which rests on a walking stick; the man gestures with his other hand toward two men who tie a string around a small tree and a supporting piece of wood stuck in the ground.
Block numbered in two places: 7202, also 1006 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a stooping elderly man and a small dog facing a girl who is standing or hiding behind a coat hung on a wall hook, perhaps as part of a game., "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: 8280, also 1207 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of two women and a man standing indoors; one woman extends her hand toward the man, who holds a top hat in his hand, as the other woman looks on., Signed: Dalziel & Markley., “Dalziel & Markley [?]ers and [?] Wood and Metal Book Illumination And [?] 706 Arch [St. Philadelph]ia” – Back of block., “[Laura’s?] [?]” – Back of block.
Block numbered in two places: 8355, also 1159 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of several boys in a classroom holding slates in front of them; most look ahead but the boy in the foreground grasps his slate loosely in one hand and looks at the ground; a man stands to their side while another man on a small raised platform sits at or beside a desk; the floors of the room are wooden and there appears to be a map on the wall., Signed: B., "V. Grottenthaler, Phila." – Back of block. Vincent Grottenthaler is listed (as a dealer in boxwood) in Philadelphia city directories from 1867 to 1876., “[?] Bible” – Illegible writing on back of block.
Block numbered in two places: 8149, also 1202 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of two men standing indoors grasping hands; one stands facing the open door and the other stands on a mat just inside, looking down and holding his hat under his other hand., Signed: Lauderbach Sc. [i.e., James W. Lauderbach?]
Block numbered in two places: 4427., Image of a man sitting on a chair point in a book while another man who appears to be on a bed reads or regards the page., Signed: S.[?], “Pu[?] 26 The [?] said to him [?] word is [?]” – Inscribed on side of block.
Block numbered in two places: 3598, also 1083 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a boy sitting on a rock or small cliff, looking down at two men riding horses and carrying spears.
Block numbered in two places: 6963., Image of a man who raises one hand and holds a paper in his other extended hand; the man he addresses stands with legs apart and hands in his pockets., "V. Grottenthaler, 110 S. 8 St. Phila."– Back of block. Vincent Grottenthaler is listed (as a dealer in boxwood) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1867-1868., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 8824., Portrait of Stephen Paxson, a missionary for the American Sunday-School Union who was nicknamed "Stuttering Stephen"; in the waist-length portrait Paxson has a goatee., Signed: A.H. Markley Phila. sc., “V. Grot[tenthaler] [?] P[hila.]” – Back of block. Vincent Grottenthaler is listed (as a dealer in boxwood) in Philadelphia city directories from 1867 to 1876., Illustration appears in A fruitful life: a narrative of the experience and missionary labors of Stephen Paxson (Philadelphia, 1882), frontispiece.
The valentine shows an elephant ice skating (and smoking). He wears a blue jacket and green pants and carries a walking stick. The sender rejects the recipient because of his weight., Text: I've heard fat men singing, / I'm told of their swimming, / I've seen them in various states -- / I've known of their dancing, / And ogling and glancing, / But ne'er have I seen one on skates. / I always am laughing, / When fat men I'm chaffing, / Who think that it will be my fate -- / It sets me tee-heeing, / A Valentine being, / To an elephant trying to skate., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
Block numbered in one place: 7221, also 970 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a woman standing on the stoop of a house beside a man sitting on a bench or chair; another man faces them, holding one hand toward them and holding a pair of scissors in his other hand., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down piece of paper.
Block numbered in two places: 6460, also 1212 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a woman standing on a porch, leaning on a railing with one hand and shielding her eyes by holding the other hand at her forehead; she regards a man who walks away from her, wearing a hat and holding a bucket in one hand., “M.S. [obscured] 34” – Inscribed on back of block., “[Willies?] [?] – Inscribed on side of block., Illustration appears in New book of two hundred pictures, p. 10.
A man holds out his empty pockets., Text: So bad your name for paying up, / That I believe that when / Grim death shall come for "nature's debt," / You'll tell him to "call again.", Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
Block numbered in one place: 6746., Image of a man sitting at a table with a cup in his hand reacting with fear or anger to a snake emerging from the bottle in front of him., “N.J. Wem[mer.] 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 paper., Illustration appears in Child's world, v. 6 no. 3 (Feb., 1867), p. 3., Illustration also appears in Child's world, v. 27, no. 11 (1870), p. 4.
Block numbered in two places: 3509., Image of several shirtless men wearing knee-length or calf-length pants, perhaps working in a village or plantation; one suspends something by a ring over a shallow basin; another holds a pickaxe; a third carries a vase on his head; two more men carry a stick with things – possibly skins or animals – strung over in, and another stick rests on two forked branches stuck in the ground; in the foreground is a small oven which produces a large stream of smoke, and in the background are palm trees and a building.
Block numbered in two places: 6967, also 1349 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of an interior scene; a man leans against a sofa and gestures with his other hand, while a woman stands beside him with her head bowed and her hands clasped in front of her; five other women, two sitting on the sofa and three standing, regard the man., "V. Grottenthaler, 110 [S. 8] St. [Phila.]"– Back of block. Vincent Grottenthaler is listed (as a dealer in boxwood) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1867-1868., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 6292., Image of a man in a top hat gesturing toward and speaking to a man behind a fence, while a woman hangs laundry over the fence and looks on; a crowd of people and what appears to be a dog is visible in the distance, and one small figure appears to be running or punching., “N.J. Wemmer. 215 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block in two places. 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: 3596, also 1265 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a boy standing before a seated man; the boy holds a book under his arm and a piece of chalk in one hand, and points with his other hand at a chalk board, which is covered with writing; the seated man regards the boy and rests on hand on a book laid on the table beside him., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 7209, also 963 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a standing woman regarding a seated elderly man; she appears to be tying or untying her bonnet., "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: 4794., Image of three men in front of a sign that says “Beer”; one stands and appears to hold a cigarette in his hand, and looks over his shoulder at a seated man; the seated man has his legs crossed and arms folded, and appears to have a cigarette in his mouth; another kneels and writes “Bhoys” [i.e., Bowery boys, working class men from the Five Points neighborhood in New York] on the ground with a stick or piece of chalk.
Block numbered in two places: 3546, also 1213 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a man and a woman indoors; the man sits in a chair beside a table and regards the woman, who stands leaning toward him and rests one hand on the top of his chair., “[?] p. 7 [?] – Inscribed on side of block., Signed: HD [i.e., Henry Dacre?]
Block numbered in two places: 7059., Image of two girls in the foreground speaking and gesturing over a fence to a man in a tall hat with a pipe; a tree and building are visible on the far side of the fence., 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., “ K[?] Christmas T[?] p. 120-2[?]– Inscribed on back of block., Back of block obscured partially by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 3352, also 781 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of two men wearing turbans on an elephant stabbing a jumping tiger; one sits astride the elephant facing forward and the other sits sideways in the other direction, turning his torso to fight off the tiger.
Block numbered in three places, two printed, one inscribed: 3610., Image of a girl wearing a sun hat holding a basket with what may be fruit in it toward a much taller man; the man is seated but appears almost as tall as the building beside him; he holds a thin cane in one hand and extends the other toward the girl.
Block numbered in two places: 8825., Waist-length portrait of John Adams, who founded many Sunday schools., Signed: A.H. Markley, sc., “V. Grottenthaler [?]” – Back of block. Vincent Grottenthaler is listed (as a dealer in boxwood) in Philadelphia city directories from 1867 to 1876., Illustration appears in A fruitful life: a narrative of the experience and missionary labors of Stephen Paxson (Philadelphia, 1882), opp. p. 47.
Block numbered in one place: 7208, also 932 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a man in a top hat grasping the upper arms of a woman who leans forward slightly; behind that man stands another in front of an open gate; a small stands behind the gate and looks on., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down piece of paper.
Block numbered in two places: 6599, also 1898 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of seven men in a rocky terrain wearing long tunics or robes and head coverings, including what appear to be a turban and several taqiyahs; a man sitting crosslegged sits facing them, wearing a keffiyeh or similar head covering and reading from a book he holds up with one hand; the other men sitting and standing., “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 one place: 7054, also 1741 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a man pushing or guiding a girl toward a woman sitting on a small sofa or fainting couch; the girl looks back and up at the man and holds one of his hands, and extends the other toward the woman; the woman leans against the arm of the sofa; the bottom half of a portrait of a man is visible on the wall behind the sofa., “[V] Grottenthaler [?]” — Back of block. Vincent Grottenthaler is listed (as a dealer in boxwood) in Philadelphia city directories from 1867 to 1876., “[?] 296” – Inscribed on back of block., Back of block partially obscured by small pasted-down paper., Illustration appears in Child's world, v. 15 no. 11 (1876), p. 3., Illustration also appears in Jessie Burton; or, danger in delay (Philadelphia, 1869), opp. p. 317.
Block numbered in one place: 3669, also 24 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of two men standing in a street in front of a brick wall; one wears a top hat and clutches a cane under his arm while handing what appears to be a coin to another man, who holds one hand outstretched and holds his hat in the other hand; behind the men on the wall or a building is the word “Notice ”.
Block numbered in two places: 6364., Image of a man in a tall hat slumped against a building, beside a sign with an upper-case R on it; there are parts of several buildings visible around a corner; the man appears to be sleeping, tired, or unconscious., Signed: S [?]., “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: 6282, also 1429 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of two men planting what appears to be a branch or small tree; one kneels and holds the plant and the other stands and leans on a shovel; several small flowerpots lie on their sides in the foreground; a building, a small figure, and a clothesline are visible behind the men., “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., “two Gardeners planting” – Inscribed on side of block.
Block numbered in two places: 9336., Image of a man on the steps of a porch gesturing with his hand, as two men standing in the road regard him from over a fence; one man has a hand on his hip and holds either a box or several books in the crook of the same arm; the other man appears to be holding a small bundle over his shoulder., Signed: J Dalziel [i.e. John Dalziel.], “Wemmer [?] Philada” – Back of block. [I.e. Nelson J. Wemmer.], “Snares and SafeGuards” – Inscribed on back of block., Illustration appears in Snares and safeguards, frontispiece.
Block numbered in two places: 7500, also 1645 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of two standing women, a kneeling man, and a small girl holding a doll; one woman leans over to look at something the man holds in his hand. They appear to be unpacking a trunk. A mallet, a chisel, and books are strewn in the foreground., "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., Signed: B.
A man has a hog's face and a large waistline. He has a bottle in his pocket. The sender references the Swedenborgian belief that one's mind shapes one's appearance in hell to suggest that the recipient is a hog., Text: If Swedenborgians tell us true, / When dead, our mortal selves appear, / When bad, like beasts to other's view, / So you will look as pictur'd here., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
Block numbered in one place: 6357, also 1174 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a man wearing a top hat sitting in a carriage drawn by two horses which appear to be standing still; behind him are several buildings; this image is enclosed in a circular outline, and above in on the block is a sign reading “The Way Out.”, “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 in two places., “The way out” – Inscribed on side of block.
Block numbered in one place: 3317, also 845 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a seated man and woman regarding the gesture or entrance of a standing man in an entryway; the standing man wears a flowing garment and holds one hand in front of his chest and the other in the air; the man and woman sit on a sofa with an elaborately-carved arm and a footstool; behind them is a curtain or hanging; possibly a Biblical scene., Back of block obscured by pasted-down paper.
A man holds his hands to his heart. He wears a frock coat, bow-tie, and thin trousers. His hair is curled., Text: Quit your tricks, my young man, and quickly to wed, / Lead some charming young damsel to church; / No delight, you'll then take, our poor hearts to break / Then leave us alone in the lurch., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
