Numbered in one place: 7165, also 1078 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a standing man in the woods facing a seated man; the seated man sits facing away from the first man, but twists his torso and head to the side and shields or covers his face; the first man holds one hand clenched, and the seated man appears to hold a handkerchief or cloth in the hand by his side., “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., “Wh [?] Adams Pg. 102” – Inscribed on back of block.
Block numbered in one place: 8507., Image of an ornate four-poster bed with a dome at the top; beside it almost at a perpendicular angle is a chaise longue with a small set of portable steps beside it; around the room, seemingly scattered, are chairs, a table, a hand mirror on the ground, and what appears to be a large tub or basin., Signed: Dalziel-Markley sc., Signed: H., Back of block obscured by pasted-down paper., Illustration appears in A dictionary of the Bible: including biography, natural history, geography, topography, archaeology, and literature (Philadelphia, 1880), p. 316.
Block numbered in two places: 9022, also 1076 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a boy standing in a wooded area in front of a fountain built out of a pitcher., “V. Grottenthaler Phila.” – Back of block. Vincent Grottenthaler is listed (as a dealer in boxwood) in Philadelphia city directories from 1867 to 1876., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Image of a lion stalking its prey, in a natural setting., Illustration appears in The Union spelling book (Philadelphia, 1838), p.10., Illustration also appears in The Show of animals (Philadelphia, between 1832 and 1860?), p. 6. The Show of animals was listed in American Sunday-School Union catalogues from May 1832 to July 1860., Inscribed on one side of the block with the letter ‘L’., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 3569, also 623 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of men bowing to a standing man who wears a long tunic and a headdress; many of the men hold crooks; possibly a Biblical scene.
L-shaped block numbered in one place: 3915, also 1020 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of children filing out of a door; the outside of the building has a sign which says “Sunday School”; all of the children wear hats or bonnets and most are carrying books or Bibles; a decorative frame of vines and flowers along the edge of the block includes a wreath., “Sunday School Dismission” – Inscribed on side of block., Illustration appears in Stories for little ears (Philadelphia, 1857), p. 40.
Block numbered in one place: 9467, also 116 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a dervish standing in profile, wearing a loose garment and a pointed hat., Back of block covered by pasted-down paper., Illustration appears in Home and work by the rivers of Eden (Philadelphia, 1888), p. 90.
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: 6314., Image of a man, possibly a young man, in a prison cell reading a book while sitting on his bed; a basin sits on a table under the barred window, and a ledge or mantel is visible on the wall., Signed: G.G. [i.e., George Gilbert]., “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., “In Prison.” – Inscribed on side of block.
Block numbered in two places: 1568., Image of an unidentified bird in a natural setting., There has been talc added to the surface of the block., Tape (inscribed “1670”) on obverse.
Block numbered in two places: 6305, also 33 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a man on a horse looking down toward a standing man holding a shovel and a small girl who reaches up toward the man on the horse; buildings are visible behind the man on the horse, and a horse and covered wagon sit before the building; a man appears to be on top of the wagon adjusting something., “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.
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: 8958., Image of a white woman sitting in front of a black boy who stands in front of her, speaking or singing; two other boy sit behind him on a bench in what appears to be a church or school; the woman raises her hand slightly; in the background another woman holds a book and faces three seated boys; a white man sits behind a table or counter beneath a sign., “V. Grottenthaler [?] Phila.” – Back of block. Vincent Grottenthaler is listed (as a dealer in boxwood) in Philadelphia city directories from 1867 to 1876.
Block numbered in two places: 8532., Image of a plant., “R. E. Funston. Phila. I Pa.” – Back of block. Robert E. Funston is listed (as a dealer in boxwood) in Philadelphia city directories from 1879 to 1883.
Block numbered in two places: 9740., Image of stylized ferns and flowers, possibly lilacs., "V. Grottenthaler Co., Phila, PA."--Back of block. Vincent Grottenthaler is listed (as a dealer in boxwood) in Philadelphia city directories from 1869 to 1876.
Block numbered in two places: 3459., Image of a man in a top hat walking with two boys; one boy holds the man’s hand, and the other holds an umbrella in one hand and turns back to point toward figures in the street behind him; behind the man and children are a group of three figures on a sidewalk and another figure in the street, pointing at each other and engaged in some kind of interaction.
Block numbered in one place: 3389 [?]., Image of a pigeon [?] in a natural setting., Tape (inscribed “665”) removed from obverse, June 2011., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 3719, also 21 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a woman in a dress with a large skirt holding an infant high in the air and gazing at it., Illustration appears in Rhymes for the nursery (Philadelphia, 1865), opp. p. 53.
Block numbered in one place: 3757, also 945 on small adhesive label on back of block., Illustration of a boy kneeling on a stool and reaching to put something, perhaps a coin, into the top of a box resting on the seat of a chair., "[Illegible] of a Penny p. 6" – Inscribed on side of block.
Block numbered in one place: 4157, also 1602 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a coastline; a sailboat and rowboat are visible in the water; the edge of a low building is visible atop a small cliff on the shore., Back of block 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 four places: 6310., Image of a man being in front of three soldiers in a tent. The man in the center appears dressed in a ragged fashion, and is flanked by soldiers holding swords. He appears to be being taken before an officer, who is seated., ‘The Old Red House, “It can’t be John Hall, p. 235 M.S.”' -- inscribed on side of block., Illustration appears in The Old flag (Philadelphia, 1864?), p. 320. In the story, the ragged man in the center (John Hall) is a deserter from the Southern army standing before Northern soldiers. This title was listed in American Sunday-School Union catalogues from Sept. 1864 to at least 1893., “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: 7073, also 1439 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of two men; the standing man looks toward the other man, who sits up in a four-poster bed, and extends his arms slightly; the man in bed may be reacting with fright or surprise, as it appears that several books have fallen from the bottom of his bed., Back of block (and wood dealer’s imprint) partially obscured by pasted-down paper on back of block.
Block numbered in two places: 6336., “…Phila.” – Back of block. (Full address obscured by pasted-down paper)., “Am.S.S.U” – Back of block., “The Old Stone Farm House. M.S. p. 118 ‘He saw a rat running along.’” – Inscribed on side of block.
Block numbered in three places: 8601., Image of a man planting a flag and waving his hat, accompanied by three children, in a natural setting. The girl next to the man is holding a baby.
Block numbered in one place: 6040., Image of a man raising a club above his head, threatening the camel that is putting its head in the door. The camel appears to be looking towards a fireplace. There is an empty bottle next to the man’s feet., “The Peasant and his guest. ‘Please get out of my hut or I will make you.”’ – inscribed on side of block., Illustration appears in The Peasant and his guest : illustrating the history of four boys (Philadelphia, 1862), p. 18. This title was listed in American Sunday-School Union catalogues from 1864 to at least 1893., Signed in reverse: DH [i.e. Henry Dacre?], Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 5236., Image of a black bear in a natural setting, walking towards a tree., “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 partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 6440, also 1276 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a boy and girl holding hands; the boy holds a sack over his shoulder with his other hand, and faces the girl at an angle; they appear to be walking., “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., Joints not visible on sides of composite block.
Block numbered in at least one place: 3556., Image of Moses being placed in the reeds as a baby., Illustration appears in The Infant scripture library (Philadelphia, 1857-1907?), p. 1. [?], Illustration also appears in Moses, Child's home library series no.2 (Philadelphia, between 1857 and 1870?), p. 1., Illustration also appears in The Book of one hundred pictures (Philadelphia, between 1861 and 1907?), p. 73.
Block numbered in two places: 6100., Image of a wreath of branches, leaves, and small flowers; one bird sits on top of the wreath, another inside the lower half., “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., "Ornamental Cover. Birds of Paradise." – Inscribed on side of block.
Block numbered in at least one place: 3472., Image of an unidentified bird, possibly a kingfisher, perched on a branch in a natural setting., Tape (inscribed “709”) on obverse., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper., Illustration appears in Stories for little ears (Philadelphia, 1857), p. 38.
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 one place: 3384., Image of a lion., Tape (inscribed “525”) removed from obverse, June 2011., Illustration appears in Aaron, Child's home library series no. 4 (Philadelphia, between 1857 and 1870?), p. 6., Illustration also appears in Four Seasons, Child's home library series no. 10 (Philadelphia, between 1857 and 1870?), p. 11.
Block numbered in one place: 2253., Image of a man who appears to be in distress next to a reclining camel. There is another figure on a camel in the background, in a desert setting., Tape (inscribed “278”) on obverse. There is also a note inscribed “Duplicate Numbers” on obverse., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 3201., Image of a lamb reclining on an architectural element., Illustration appears in Man lost and saved (Philadelphia, 1852), p. 7. This title was listed in American Sunday-School Union catalogues from Jan. 1853 to at least 1893.
Block numbered in two places: 4753., Image of a man standing next to a pump; a sign above him reads: Half way house., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” – Stamped on 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 at least two places: 3766., Image of a man, woman and two children who appear to be walking in a natural setting. The male figure is walking with the assistance of a cane., Tape (inscribed “157”) on obverse., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in one place: 3397., Image of a peacock perched on a branch., Tape (inscribed “799”) removed from obverse, June 2011., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in one place: 7820., Image of a monkey sitting on the ground in a natural setting, grabbing a plant., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 3475., Image of a crab., Illustration appears in Stories for little ears (Philadelphia, 1857), p. 40., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 7495., Image of a man in bed, raising his hand slightly; a woman wearing a head covering and earrings stands at the foot of the bed, holding up a skirt or shawl with one hand and reaching her other hand toward the footboard; a young man wearing a tunic or short sarong kneels by the side of the bed; a small table beside the bed holds a bowl and a mug; a small framed painting, a wall hook and coat, and a mantel holding several vessels are on the wall on the other side of the bed.
Block numbered in two places: 6909., Image of a mother and son looking in one direction, in an interior setting., Signed: 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., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 8691, also 1866 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of two seated women observing a standing man who holds his long coat open with one hand; a child appears to be sleeping on the ground at the man’s feet; one of the women is wearing a wimple or headdress, possibly suggesting a medieval setting., Signed: N. Bryant, Sc., “V. Grottenthaler Phila.” – Back of block. Vincent Grottenthaler is listed (as a dealer in boxwood) in Philadelphia city directories from 1867 to 1876.
Block numbered in one place: 3465., Image of a warbler [?] perched on a branch, in a natural setting., Illustration appears in Stories for little ears (Philadelphia, 1857), p. 46.
Block numbered in one place: 312., Image of a five people in a canoe, in a moderate sized body of water, under a full moon., Signed: Kilburn & Close del., Tape (inscribed “1834”) on obverse., Back partially obscured by pasted-down paper., , Provenance:, , Variant:
