Block numbered in two places: 5692., "Head of a Rhinoceros" -- inscribed on side of block., Illustration appears in The Lake and the desert, or, missionary adventures in southern Africa (Philadelphia, between 1864 to 1870?), opp. p. 140. The Lake and the desert was listed in American Sunday-School Union catalogues from 1864 to at least 1870., Illustration also appears in Child's world vol. 13. No. 24 p.3.
L-shaped block numbered in two places: 2210, also 1359 on small adhesive label on back of block, and 3210 inscribed on back of block., Image of a woman descending stairs and carrying a bucket in each hand; she turns toward a boy who sits with an open book atop a trellis-like structure, which runs across the inner edge of the block and has a few long, large curling vines and what appear to either trailing flowers or bunches of fruit.
Block numbered in two places: 9397, also 1384 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a young man and woman seated in a boat; the long-haired woman holds what appear to be leaves or flowers in her lap, and trails one small branch or vine in the water; the man sits immediately behind her and regards her turned face; the woman’s long full sleeves and the man’s small decorated cap suggest a historical setting – possibly Renaissance; a small hill on the shore is visible behind the boat.
Block numbered in two places: 6338, also 361 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a boy and a man in a top hat holding a walking stick regarding a boy who kneels at the base of a tree, holding something in his hand; the standing boy touches the other boy’s shoulder and gestures toward him., “[N.J. Wem]mer. [21]5 [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 three places., "The Old Stone Farm House 'He held it for some time.' p. [?]" – Inscribed on side of block.
Block numbered in one place: 8596., Image of a man and a woman in a cart drawn by two animals with long horns, possibly zebus; the man, who wears a turban, sits in front of the woman, who wears a cloak or headscarf and sits below a canopy; palm trees are visible in the background., Signed: Bryant, sc. [i.e., Henry Bryant?], Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper., Block damaged: cracked.
Block numbered in two places: 3137, also 1233 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of two men conversing in a street; one wearing a top hat gestures toward an older man in a flat brim hat who leans on his cane ; several figures are visible walking further down the street toward buildings including a church., Writing inscribed on back of block – defaced, illegible.
Block numbered in one place: 7190, also 1065 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a boy with a tray supported by a strap around his neck; he appears to be selling rolls, and he holds one in his hand while facing the two other boys, who lean in slightly to see; behind the boys is a man in a top hat and a sign in a window reading “Chops Steaks.”, "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. 9 (1877), p. 2.
Block numbered in one place: 3674, also 929 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a girl sitting on a low wall in front of a door, under a sign that says “Office”; she covers her face with both hands; behind her in the distance is what appears to be a bridge., “Late” – Inscribed on side of block., Illustration appears in Stories for little ears (Philadelphia, 1857), p. 27.
Block numbered in two places: 7016, also 1330 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a man and woman; the man holds a package under one arm and gestures with his other hand; the woman sits on a chair in front of a hearth and looks over her shoulder at the man.
Block numbered in two places: 6145., Image of two women outside a building [a tavern?] identified with the sign “Rose & Crow [i.e., Crown?].” A flag is suspended over the sign. Men, one of whom wears suspenders, are gathered at a table in the background., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper., “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: 9134., Image of a girl doing needlework or mending by hand while an older woman wearing glasses sits behind her working on a sewing machine; there are piles of loose cloth beside both the girl and the woman; potted plants sit beside the window., Signed: J.D.G. [?]
Block numbered in one place: 5041., Image of an unidentified bird perched on a branch, with a building in the background., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 2349., Image of a classroom or other social scene [?] Quill pens and books are on a table in the background. Posters and map [?] are on the wall., Tape (inscribed "1175") on obverse., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 7219., Image of a stag in motion in natural setting, and there appears to be a human in the background., "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: 6301., Image of a man with a cloth or bandage around his head, holding his chest and covered by a blanket; three men attend, one in a uniform with his arm in a sling, one beside him with arms crossed, and one at the end of the bed or bench offers him a bowl of food; a book and pitcher of water are on the floor and a paned window is to the side., “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 Old Red House ‘The poor fellows are so grateful’ p. 253 M.S.” – Inscribed on side of block., Illustration appears in The old flag, p. 283., Illustration also appears in Child's world, v. 10 no. 21 (Nov. 1871), p.2.
Block numbered in two places: 5430, with “4” printed over defaced second digit in both places, also 5330 inscribed faintly in one place., Image of an outdoor scene with a moose standing in the foreground on rocky terrain; three wigwams with chimneys emitting smoke are in the distance, and several people and a dog stand near them; two bare and fairly branchless trees are to the side of the image, and mountains are visible in the distance; an arc reaches across the block horizontally, possibly indicating the horizon or a rainbow., “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 Child's world, v. 13 no. 16 (1874), p. 3.
Block numbered in three places: 8209., Image of a little girl examining herself in a hand mirror. She is dressed very nicely, including a hat with feathers and a bow.
Block numbered in one place: 6884., Image of a child and parent reclining together, in an interior setting. A vase of flowers is visible in the background., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 7524, also 1688 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of two girls, one entering a room from the outside through a door and the other seated inside; the latter holds flowers in her hands and sits in front of a bush or small tree, suggesting that she may be in an indoor nursery., "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: 6037., Image of a man seated in an interior setting, next to an open door that has a camel sticking its head through. The man's hut is very cluttered. The man appears startled or dismayed by the appearance of the camel, and is smoking a pipe., ‘The Peasant & His Guest’ – side of block, as well as the title of block., Illustration appears in The Peasant and his guest : illustrating the history of four boys (Philadelphia, 1862), p. 6. This title was listed in American Sunday-School Union catalogues from 1864 to at least 1893., Signed in reverse: DH [i.e. Henry Dacre?], “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.
Block numbered in one place: 5242., Image of a cat in an interior setting. In the background, there is a vase containing flowers on a curtained windowsill., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper., ASSU Illustration 7248 Illustration appears in Child’s world, v. 29 no. 8 (1872), p. 2.
Block numbered in two places: 5627., Image of a landscape view of the city of Jerusalem, from a distant and elevated point of view., ‘Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives’ -- inscribed on side of block., ‘From Bethlehem to Bethany’ -- also inscribed on side 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 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 three places: 6252., Image of two boys reading in a natural setting. One of them is sitting on a fence, and the other is seated on a tree stump., “Sunshine & Shadow To…[unintelligible] Chap 1st Vignette” -- inscribed on side of block., “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.
Block numbered in two places: 6590, also 3[7?]0 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a man wearing a long tunic and cloth head covering and holding what appears to be a rifle, resting the butt end on the ground; behind him are what appear to be several temporary structures made of what may be tarp, with people and goats gathered in and around them; the area is surrounded by a large number of 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., “Am.S.S.U” – Back of block.
Block numbered in two places: 7117, also 1109 on small adhesive label on back of block, also 8017 in two places (defaced)., Image of men climbing in a rocky landscape, many carrying bowls or basins with them; a boy in the foreground appears to be reaching for something which glints, suggesting that the men may be searching for gold or something similar in the rocks; a slender woman with long loose hair wearing a long draped garment stands to the side., Signed: I.F. [?], "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., Illegible inscription on back of block.
Block numbered in two places: 7146, also 1098 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of girls and boys outdoors; in the foreground a small girl sits with her arms around a younger girl, and both look at a dog lying on the ground with its tongue out; behind them are a group of running boys holding sticks or spears; two girls look on from a doorway., "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: 9470., Image of a man wearing a turban and holding a thin staff; he wears layered clothing, including a tunic reaching to mid-calf, a thick sash around the waist, and a cloak or shirt with loose sleeves; a small cat sits at the man’s side., Signed: EAH., “A Koord and his Angora Cat.” – Inscribed on side of block., “92 [obscured] Hair of [?]” – Inscribed on back of block., Illustration appears in Home and work by the rivers of Eden (Philadelphia, 1888), p. 31.
Block numbered in two places: 6540, also 41 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a woman doing needlework beside a small boy in a doorway; the is surrounded by animals; he feeds a bird on his shoulder, a squirrel sits on his knee, a cat sits beside him, and the boy regards a dog sitting a few feet away., Illustration appears in New book of two hundred pictures, p. 198., Illustration also appears in Child's world, v. 27 no. 6 (1870), p. 3.
Block numbered in one place: 4763., Image of an ostrich and two of its chicks in a natural setting., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” – Stamped on back of block twice. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856.
Block numbered in two places: 4150., Image of a group of people eating a meal indoors. Many of those present are reclining, and are being waited upon by five servants. The side of the scene appears open to the outside, and palm trees are visible in the far distance., "[unintelligible] p. 17” -- inscribed on side of block., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 1555., Image of herons [?] in a natural setting, one in the foreground, one in the background., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 6228, also 1450 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a man and a woman leaning over the ground at what appears to be a grave; the man holds a shovel, and the woman wears a cloak with a hood and clutches a small branch or sprig; behind them are the spire of a church and a group of figures wearing coats and hats departing the churchyard., “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 three places., “Prayer [?] do [?]” – Inscribed on side of block.
Block numbered in two places: 6548, also 55 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of several boys beside a wall around what may be a church building; several standing boys and two kneeling boys regard or assist a boy who sits on the ground against the wall; the boy may be injured, and what may be a crutch or walking stick lies on the ground 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., “[?] Howard. M.S. p. 11” – Inscribed on side of block.
Block numbered in two places: 6961., Image of two men speaking over some kind of a low wall or barrier; the man on the nearer side holds a hammer in his left hand and is surrounded by scraps or rubble; the men speak in the doorway, possible to a workshop, mill, or mine., "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.
Block numbered in two places: 6978., Image of a small child walking or learning to walk outside a wooden house, while two seated women, what appears to be a seated child, and a standing man watch., "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 one place: 3743., Image of one boy reaching for a kite on the roof of a building while another stands inside and reaches out to steady the ladder; the reaching boy’s hat has flown off of his head in the wind., One side of block appears cleaner than the others; possibly due to having been cut down for re-use.
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 one place: 6463., Image of four men around a table looking at a seated man; one leans over the table and points at the seated man with his pipe in his hand., Back of block obscured by pasted-down paper., “Bar of Iron, 2nd part.” – Inscribed on side of block.
Block numbered in two places: 6522, also 1880 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of an older boy and girl walking along a path in front of a house; the girl wears a bonnet and carries a small basket in one hand; a boy wearing a cap follows immediately behind her and appears to be carrying something as well, perhaps a box., “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 in three places.
Block numbered in two places: 7875, also 1683 on small adhesive label on back of block., Block numbered in two places: 7875, also 1683 on small adhesive label on back of block., Signed: Lauderbach [i.e., James W. Lauderbach?]
Block numbered in one place: 9337, also 1472 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of what appears to be the interior of a barn with a mezzanine running along the three visible walls; several men are in the barn along with two camels; one man stands barefoot in the middle of the barn on a small rug, others sit in a circle toward the wall, and more men stand among bales or packages; the men appear to be wearing headdresses of some kind, perhaps keffiyeh., Back of block obscured by pasted-down paper.
