Search results

Title: George Washington Cable, 1844-1925
Description: Author., American Celebrities Album., Retrospective conversion record: original entry.
Date: ca. 1870
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department American Celebrities Album [(I)P.9100.48e]

Title: George Washington Roberts, son of Algernon & Tacy Roberts. 1802-1857
Description: Portrait of Roberts, son of Algernon and Tacy Roberts. He has a half smile on his face, and is resting his right arm on a table., Cased photographs retrospective conversion project., Pad: Red silk with a large leaf design in the center. Manuscript note pasted to pad reads: George W. Roberts, 1802-1857., Mat: Octagonal., Case: Leather. Scrolls stamped in gold on all four sides of cover. No design on verso., Accompanying manuscript note reads: George Washington Roberts, son of Algernon & Tacy Roberts. 1802-1857., Reproduced in "The Ties That Bind: Daguerreotypes and the Roberts and Thompson Families" by Sarah Weatherwax in The Daguerreian Annual 1999 (Pittsburgh, Pa.: The Daguerreian Society, 1999) p. 219. See also the Board Report for January 20, 1998.
Date: ca. 1847
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Cased photos [P.9562.6]

Title: George Washington Northrup, 1826-1900
Description: Educator, Baptist minister., American Celebrities Album., Retrospective conversion record: original entry.
Date: ca. 1870
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department American Celebrities Album [(II)P.9100.15e]

Title: George Washington Bethune, 1805-1862
Description: Dutch Reformed clergyman, editor., American Celebrities Album., Retrospective conversion record: original entry.
Date: ca. 1870
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department American Celebrities Album [(II)P.9100.21e]

Title: Smith, George Washington
Creator: Library Company of Philadelphia, creator
Date: January 19, 1831

Title: George Washington Norris
Description: George W. Norris was a Library Company board member from 1840-1874. He was a Philadelphia surgeon and author and editor of books on historical medicine. He served as president of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, vice-president of the Philadelphia Medical Society, vice-president of the College of Physicians, vice-president of the AMA, and an associate of the Academy of Natural Sciences and the American Philosophical Society.
Location: OBJ 308

Title: Judge Woodward on the war! ... Judge Woodward in a recent letter, attributes "this unconstitutional abolition war" to the "malignant fanaticism" of the North. ... Thus were Southern traitors lured to destroy their country, and now the promise is to be redeemed by giving the government "occupation enough at home."
Description: Quotations from eminent Pennsylvanians George W. Hart and Lemuel Todd, and from Franklin Pierce intended to disparage the attitude toward the war of Judge George Washington Woodward, unsuccessful Democratic candidate for governor of Pennsylvania in 1863., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Date: [1863]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare 2# Am 1863 Judge (6)5777.F.48 (McAllister)

Title: Philadelphia, November, 1864. Sir:--On Tuesday next will be the presidential election and these few plain words are addressed to you in no partisan spirit, but with a deep and earnest feeling for the Union and a desire that each voter shall realize the importance of the occasion. ... General McClellan has declared: "The Union is the one condition of peace: we ask no more." With the one, the abandonment of slavery is indispensable, and it is only on other points (distinctly not on this) that liberal terms will be made: with the other, the Union is alone indispensable, and all other subjects will be open to consideration. With General McClellan, debt, taxes, and all other questions can be easily adjusted after reconciliation and Union, and the country be spared the ruin which in some shape must befall it if the present incumbent is re-elected for four years more. ... The enclosed ticket has the names of electors favorable to the election of General McClellan; so, too, those subjoined, which can be detached and voted. If you desire his election, vote early, and give your presence and influence at the polls. Electors: Robert L. Johnston
Description: The list of electors includes 25 more names after Johnston; the electors are listed twice., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Date: [1864]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare #Am 1864 Phila 5793.F.46a (McAllister)

Title: Soldiers read! Letter from Gen. McClellan Orange, N.J., October 12th, 1863. Hon. Chas. J. Biddle, Dear Sir:--My attention has been called to an article in the Philadelphia press, asserting that I had written to the managers of a Democratic meeting of Allentown, disapproving the objects of the meeting, and that if I voted and spoke, it would be in favor of Governor Curtin. ... I desire to state clearly and distinctly that, having some few days ago had a full conversation with Judge Woodward, I find that our views agree, and I regard his election as governor of Pennsylvania, call for by the interests of the nation
Description: Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Creator: McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885
Date: [1863]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare #Am 1863 McClellan 5793.F.68a (McAllister)

Title: The nation honors a great American. "From slave cabin to hall of fame." Booker Washington Bookplace, Virginia. U.S. Post Office established February 12, 1948
Description: Illustrated envelope containing a composite image depicting a portrait of Black educator Booker T. Washington, a view of a log cabin, and a view of a classical-style building., Title and date from item., Date supplied from research and content., Image caption: She Guided More Than 300 Slaves to Freedom., Contains ink-stamp postmark: Booker Washington Birthplace Va. Feb 12 1948 5PM and cancelled (Opening Day Cancellation) violet color-printed 3-cent stamp after the format of the Famous American Scientists Series of 1940 and depicting a bust-length portrait of George Washington Carver, Director of Agriculture at Tuskegee Institute., Inscribed in ink: [Pntd?] Washington Pitt [?], Addressed in type: Patricia Chapman, Newfield, N.J., Accompanied by four circulars titled: "Team Work ... by Dr. Booker T. Washington" (2 copies); "Atlanta Exposition Address Delivered by Booker T. Washington, September, 1895, Atlanta, Georgia"; and "Gems of Wisdom. Thoughts from Booker T. Washington's Philosophy That Have Rendered Invaluable Service to Mankind.", Gift of George R. Allen, 2022.
Date: [1948]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department *ephemera - envelopes - Nation [P.2022.42.4a-e]

Title: Washington's Tea Set - [U.S.] Government Building
Description: View of President Washington's tea set in the U.S. Government Building. Depicts a tea set--along with various other dishware--situated atop a kitchen cupboard. Also shows an etched tray in front of the cupboard. An American flag hangs above the tea set.
Creator: Centennial Photographic Co., photographer., creator
Date: 1876
Location: Centennial - album [P.8965.18c]

Title: Tucker, Ruth.
Description: In Summary of the transactions of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, vol. 3 (1850), plate opposite p. 93., “Ruth Tucker, a large and healthy negro woman, aged twenty-four, was admitted into the Pennsylvania Hospital in January last, on account of tumours developed in the lobe of each ear. She stated that between five and six years before, she had her ears pierced, and that soon afterwards brass rings were inserted into them…. Some swelling had already shown itself around the punctures before they were taken out … and gave origin to the tumours, which had continued since slowly to enlarge.”—P. 93., Waist-length portrait of Ruth Tucker, a patient whom Dr. George W. Norris treated for tumors on her ears.
Date: [1850?]

Title: Macknett's Tavern "It is picturesque," writes Mr. Watson; "it existed in the time of the revolution, and was then, and afterwards, the prominent tavern for visits of city gentleman. It is now owned by George W. Carpenter, and has no history." On the Main Street, this side of "Congress hall" - Germantown
Description: Shows the property, formerly a tavern and the residence of Rev. John Rodney, owned by Philadelphia merchant George W. Carpenter, on the 5900 block of Germantown Avenue., Title and photographer's imprint from Poulson inscription on mount., Date inscribed on photograph., Originally part of a series of eleven scrapbooks compiled by Philadelphia antiquarian Charles A. Poulson in the late 1850s entitled "Illustrations of Philadelphia" volume 3, page 129. The scrapbooks contained approximately 120 photographs by Philadelphia painter and pioneer photographer Richards of 18th-century public, commercial, and residential buildings in the city of Philadelphia commissioned by Poulson to document the vanishing architectural landscape., Also included in an annotated album containing twenty photographs by Richards entitled "Pictorial Views of Houses & Places in Germantown yr 1859." (LCP 66037.D.13)., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., Select link below for a digital image.
Creator: Richards, F. De B. (Frederick De Bourg), photographer
Date: April 1859
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - Richards - Germantown - M [(3)2526.F.129], http://www.brynmawr.edu/iconog/rcd/2526f129.jpg

Title: Democrats rally, and support the genuine ticket! President, Geo. B. McClellan. Vice president, C.L. Vallandigham. Governor, Geo. W. Woodward. Supreme judge, Walter H. Lowrie
Description: The illustration shows a snake., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Creator: Democratic Party (Pa.)
Date: [1864]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare #Am 1864 Democrat (6)5777.F.103a (McAllister)

Title: Marriage of Tom Thumb
Description: Series of six cartes-de-visite size engravings of portraits and scenes from the February 10, 1863 New York City marriage of P.T. Barnum's Little People entertainers Charles Stratton, known as Tom Thumb, and Lavinia Warren. Includes: the ceremony; the couple; the attendants, fellow Little People entertainers Commodore Nutt, and Lavinia's sister, Minnie Warren; the "Reception"; the following morning "At Home" with the seated couple attended by an African American man servant, attired in a white collared shirt, a black bowtie, a gray waistcoat, and a black suit jacket and pants, who carries a tray; and a "Promenade" down Broadway. The wedding, paid for and heavily promoted by Barnum, attracted the social and political elite of New York., Title from series title., Date inferred from content., Series numbers and captions handwritten on verso., Manuscript note on recto of five of the series: Mr. & Mrs. Stratton., Possibly after Mathew B. Brady., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook of portraits. McAllister Collection, gift, 1886., Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., 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 Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Date: [ca. 1863]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department cdv portraits - sitter - Thumb [5750.F.59a-e;(2)5750.F.169f]

Title: The Washington family
Description: Group portrait of George Washington, his wife Martha, and his two step-grandchildren gathered around a cloth-covered table. A seated George Washington, attired in civilian clothing, rests one arm on the table and the other on the shoulder of his step-grandson and namesake who stands next to a globe, which shows "America." His step-granddaughter, Nelly, stands next to a seated Martha on the other side of the table. Both are pointing at "North America, United States" on a large map unfurled on the table. William Lee, an African American man enslaved by Washington who worked as his valet including during the Revolutionary War, stands in the right background. He is attired in a white cravat and a black jacket and tucks his left hand into his jacket. A curtain is draped open near a column revealing a waterscape scene in the background., Title from item., Names of sitters printed in margin below image., Purchased with Davida T. Deutsch Women's History Fund, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
Creator: Currier & Ives
Date: 1873
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department *GC - Washington [P.2013.23]

Title: Washington birthday greetings
Description: Postcard containing an interpretation of Christian Schussele's 1864 painting "Washington and his Family" that was also issued as an engraving. Shows a domestic family group portrait with George and Martha Washington seated at a table, near which their step grand-children Nelly and William stand. A map rests on the table, and Washington holds a book in his lap. In the background, William Lee, an African American man enslaved by Washington who worked as his valet including during the Revolutionary War, enters the room holding a note on a tray. In the right foreground, Washington's overcoat and sword rest on a chair., Date inferred from postmark: Mass., Dec. 1910., Addressed in manuscript to: Mr. Ralph Osgood, Oak St., Springfield, Mass., Inscribed in lower left corner on verso: Cores. from Ethel., Contains cancelled one-cent stamp printed in green ink and depicting Benjamin Franklin in profile., Divided back., Gift of John Serembus, 2013., Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
Date: [ca. 1910]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department LCP postcards - Non-Pennsylvania [P.2013.66]

Title: [Stevens-Cogdell and Sanders-Venning and Chew families miscellaneous portraits collection]
Description: Collection of photographs, several unidentified, of members of the African American middle-class Steven-Cogdell and Sanders-Venning and Chew family of Philadelphia, as well as their extended families and friends. Includes predominantly studio portraiture, including a portrait of William H. Chew (P.2013.14.10), in addition to two miniatures (possibly members of the Cogdell family) and a casual group photograph. Also includes a small number of photographs representing the African American expatriate entertainers' community in Paris in the 1930s; a group portrait of the “Soap Box Minstrels, Musical Fund Hall, December 7, 1909”; and a group portrait with possibly George Washington Musgrave. Minstrel show photograph depicts performers in black face and African American musicians on a stage in front of which a row of African American performers, some in costume and some in tuxedoes, is seated. George Venning and his brother-in-law William Holden were founders of the Soap Box Social in 1908. The Soap Box Social performed an annual minstrel show in the aughts as a fundraiser for the Citizens Republican Club, a social and political club of African American elite men started in 1884. The club’s mission focused on the election of African Americans into public office., Blackface minstrelsy is a popular entertainment form, originating in the United States in the mid-19th century and remaining in American life through the 20th century. The form is based around stereotypical and racist portrayals of African Americans, including mocking dialect, parodic lyrics, and the application of Black face paint; all designed to portray African Americans as othered subjects of humor and disrespect. Blackface was a dominant form for theatrical and musical performances for decades, both on stage and in private homes., Identified sitters include Ivan H. Browning, Edward W. Venning, Sallie Venning (Holden), Turner Layton, Clarence Johnstone, Thomas "Fats" Waller, and Ada "Bricktop" Smith., Title supplied by cataloger., Date from content., Various photographers, including L. Blaul, African American photographer G. W. Cheston, Flett, J. E. Forbert, O. B. De Morat, S. Georges Ltd, Studio di Art, Sol Young Studios, and Suddards & Fennemore., P.2013.14.12 contains manuscript note on verso: My Honey, My Wife, My All., P.2013.14.15 contains manuscript note on recto: To two regular fellows “Bill & Agnes” Ivan Browning, Paris, France, 1932., P.2013.14.16 contains manuscript note on recto: To The Agnes, Bill, Gene Upshur, With Warmest Wishes, Turner Layton. C.T. Johnstone., P.2013.14.17 contains manuscript note on recto: To Mr. & Mrs. Chew. With Tons of Good Wishes for Every Joy & Oceans of Happiness. Layton & Johnstone., P.2013.14.19 contains manuscript note on recto identifying the sitters: Unknown; [Us.?] Browning; Snow; Unknown; Fats Waller; Unknown; Bricktop., P.2013.14.20 contains manuscript note in ink on recto identifying the sitters: Unknown; Fats; [Mau?]; [Mask?]; Bricktop; Uncle John; Unknown; Ms. Chew; Susan Williams; Unknown; Maureen Browning; Mr. Anson; Ms. Hinkson; Dr. Hinkson; Mr. Chew; Mr. Browning; Unknown. Also contains manuscript note on recto: To Uncle John-Don’t get your derby knocked off. Thomas “Fats” Waller; Uncle John, I think your great & how. Bricktop., 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., Description of blackface mintrelsy from Dorothy Berry, Descriptive Equity and Clarity around Blackface Minstrelsy in H(arvard) T(heater) C(ollection) Collections, 2021., 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. 1800-1932]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Stevens-Cogdell/Sanders-Venning Collection [P.2013.14]

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 portaits., 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]

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]

Title: Pictorial views of houses & places in Germantown yr 1859
Description: Photograph album commissioned by antiquarian Ferdinand Dreer containing twenty salted paper prints depicting nineteenth century Germantown landmarks. Views include prominent and historic residences, businesses, a school, and a church, predominately on Germantown Avenue. Images accompanied by numbered annotations of brief notes about the history of, significance of, and persons associated with the buildings., Photographs depict the Germantown Mennonite Church (6121 Germantown Avenue) and Samuel Keyser residence (6133 Germantown Avenue); Germantown Academy (110 School House Lane); Cliveden (6401 Germantown Avenue); Congress Hall boarding house (6100 block Germantown Avenue); Leonard Nutz residence (5329 West Penn Street); John Fanning Watson residence (Price Street); Thomas Godfrey Farm (Limekiln Pike at Church Lane); Samuel Morris residence (5442 Germantown Avenue); Roberts Mill (Church Lane at Wingohocking Street); John Smith residence, i.e., Daniel Keyser residence, near the old turnpike toll gate (5800 block Germantown Avenue); Michael Keyser, i.e., John Knorr residence (6100-6106 Germantown Avenue); John Johnson residence used as an Underground Railroad station (6306 Germantown Avenue); Parson Rodney House, i.e., Macknett's Tavern (5900 block Germantown Avenue); Benjamin Engle residence (5938 Germantown Avenue); Christopher Sower residence (5300 Germantown Avenue); Pugh residence, i.e., James De La Plaine residence (5521-5523 Germantown Avenue); Bank of Germantown (5275-5277 Germantown Avenue); Rock House (East Penn Street) ; Michael Billmeyer residence (6505-6507 Germantown Avenue); and Washington Tavern (6200 block Germantown Avenue). Also contains a lithograph portrait of John Kelpius, a founder of Germantown, printed by P.S. Duval & Sons., Paper binding., Title page inscribed: Pictorial views of house & places in Germantown in 1850. Taken for F.J. Dreer., The Johnson House was built 1765-1768 by master builder Jacob Knor at 6306 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA. John Johnson resided in the house during the Battle of Germantown. The dwelling sustained damage including a hole in the parlor door caused by a cannon ball and a chipped corner. It served as a station on the Underground Railroad. The Johnson family owned the house until 1908. The Woman's Club of Germantown purchased the house in 1917, and in 1980, gifted the house and its contents to the Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust to operate as a house museum. In 2002, the deed of ownership was transferred to the Johnson House Historic Site, Inc., Cliveden is the colonial residence built 1763-1767 by master carpenter Jacob Knor for Philadelphia attorney Benjamin Chew at 6401 Germantown Avenue. It was the site of the turning point in the Battle of Germantown in 1777. The Chew family enslaved people of African descent in the city of Philadelphia and in Germantown during the 18th and 19th centuries. The estate was the Chew family residence until 1972 when it was acquired by the National Trust for Historic Preservation., Fifteen of images duplicated in F. De B. Richards Photograph Collection., Duplicate album with variant annotations entitled "Houses & Places in Germantown in 1859 illustrated by John F. Watson" in the collections of the Germantown Historical Society, Gift of Mrs. Charles Willing, 1972., Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
Creator: Richards, F. De B. (Frederick De Bourg), photographer
Date: 1859
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Richards album [66037.D]

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