The handwritten note has a border with cherubs, grotesques, regal figures, and flowers., [illegible], Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
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 one place: 3476, also 620 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a hand inserting a rectangular envelope into a slot with a sign that says “Letter Box”; the part of the block where the letter should be is cut out of the block completely from front to back, suggesting that there may be multiple replaceable blocks that fit into this block for different uses.
Block numbered 5132 in two places., Image of two children and animals. The letter “W” is in an upper corner., “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., Back of block formerly obscured by pasted-down paper (now detached).
Block numbered in two places: 7095., Image of a rebus depicting a scripture verse. Child's World vol. 9 no. 4 gives the answer to this puzzle, which appears in vol. 9 no. 2: "Ou-to(e)-f t(ea)-he s aim mouth proceed-death blessing and cur-sing / Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. --James iii. 10.", "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. 1 (1870), p. 4.
The mischief maker holds an opened envelope and sticks her enlongated nose into it., Text: Sly old peeper, mischief making, / Take care now whose note you're taking; / We've found you out, and so despise you, / And send this warning to advise you., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
An older woman with a large nose is looking inside an envelope. The valentine warns that others have noticed her intrusions., Text: Sly old peeper, mischief making, / Take care now whose note you’re taking; / We’ve found you out, and so despise you, / And send this warning to advise you., Cf. Valentine 6.28, Provenance: Helfand, William H..
Racist caricature depicting an African American woman reading a love letter. Depicts "Angelica” seated on a couch across from an end table on which a stationery box, ribbon, and a jar of ink rest as she reads her "billet-doux" addressed to “Miss Lillywhite, Snow Blackfriars." The couch has a wood frame and blue cushions. “Angelica” is attired in a pink cap-sleeved dress with lace details at the bust-line, blue, ankle-laced, slip-on shoes, and jewelry, including a heart-shaped pendant choker necklace, gold drop earrings, and rings. She wears her hair in a top knot and with a hair adornment. In the letter, “Augustus Octavio Whiteman” proclaims he cannot think of anything but her "classic features" and he would be "de Blackest ob villains" if he could see such "lubliness without feeling its influence." Figure of “Angelica” is portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features and her skin tone is depicted in black hand coloring., Title from item., Date inferred from content and name of publisher., Contains several lines of dialogue in the vernacular in the image: Ah! A billet-doux from my Charming Augustus/ My Fairest Angelica/Dy Slender form and Classic Features hab made sich an impression on my poor heart dat I cannot tink ob anything else. Indeed I must be de Blackest of Villains if I could see sich lubliness widout feeling its Influence as de Song says_”Eye ob fire lips ob Dew” “Cheeks dat shame the roses hue”/Tremain your Adorable Lubber Augustus Octavio Whiteman., Inscribed: No. 4., Charles Hunt was a respected 19th century London engraver and etcher known mostly for his prints of sporting subjects., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
Creator
Summers, William, artist
Date
[ca. 1833]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (London Set) [P.9710.4]
