The
The
Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera
Henry
Francis du Pont
5105
Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware 19735
Telephone:
302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883
OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION
Creator: Centennial Exhibition
(1876: Philadelphia, Pa.)
Title: Collection
Dates: 1874-1878
Call No.:
Acc. No.: [various
– see detailed description]
Quantity: 2 boxes, 2 folders
Location: 18 I 3-4
HISTORICAL STATEMENT
The Centennial International Exhibition
was held in
Although the Centennial lost money,
it provided ample evidence of American progress in education, industry, and the
arts that would have a lasting impact on foreign trade.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
The
collection consists of miscellaneous photographs, a glass lantern slide,
stereographs, lithographs, advertising materials, maps, and other memorabilia
relating to the Centennial International Exhibition. The photographs and
stereographs depict the interiors and exteriors of fair buildings. Several feature sculptures that were
displayed in the Italian section. A
series of colored lithographs published by Thomas Hunter depict the exteriors
of fair buildings and the surrounding landscape.
Several
pieces of advertising pertain to pre-centennial events and the First Centennial
Train ride in October of 1875. The
events were sponsored by
The
collection also features the "Centennial Exhibition Puzzle Blocks,"
manufactured by George H. Chinook. It
includes pieces for five puzzles that when put together show the
ORGANIZATION
The
materials are grouped by type: photographs and stereographs, lithographs,
advertising materials and memorabilia, and miscellaneous.
LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS
The
materials are mostly in English; some captions are in German, French, and
Spanish.
RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS
Collection
is open to the public. Copyright
restrictions may apply.
PROVENANCE
Purchased
from various sources.
RELATED MATERIALS
The
exhibitor’s pass and the photo identification of R.M. Wagan, and the medal he
and his Shaker chairs won at the exhibition are in the Artifacts section of the
Andrews Memorial Shaker Collection.
Doc. 113:
E. S. Marsh, “Memoir of the Centennial Exhibition of 1876.”
Doc. 222:
James W. Morse, Diary for 1876.
Doc. 1139:
anonymous, Diary, 1876.
Subject
heading search in WinterCat for Centennial Exhibition will reveal many more
relevant items.
In the Print Study Collection:
Lithograph of the
ACCESS POINTS
People:
Hunter, Thomas.
Topics:
Centennial Exhibition (1876 :
Buildings - Pictorial works.
Lithography - Specimens.
Exhibitions -
Sculpture - Photographs.
Puzzles.
Handkerchiefs.
Embroidery, Machine.
Advertising fliers.
Photographs.
Albumen prints.
Wet collodion negatives.
Card photographs.
Stereographs.
Programs.
Admission tickets.
Maps.
Broadsides.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
COLLECTION
Location: 18 I 3-4
Box
1:
Folder
1: Advertising and Memorabilia (acc. 69x154.1-.16; 04x59): Broadsides, prints,
circulars, advertisements, and pamphlets, 1876:
.1 Broadside
about the designs and sizes of the principal buildings, with an engraving of
the Main Exhibition Building by D.G. Yates. Issued by the United States Centennial
Commission. (folded)
.2 General
regulations for exhibitors, with a list of commissioners, departments,
etc. Dated May 22, 1875. At head of title: United States Centennial
Commission , no. 105.
[note: acc. 04x59 is an
earlier version of this.]
.3 Rules
for displays in the Main Exhibition Building, issued by Bureau of Installation. Dated Aug. 20, 1875. At head of title: United States Centennial
Commission , no. 118.
.4 Engraving:
“Balloon View of the Grounds,” printed as supplement to Harper’s Weekly, Sept. 30, 1876, done from photographs by R. Newell
& Sons and sketches by Theo. R. Davis. (folded; parting along fold lines –
handle with care)
.5 Broadside:
description of the Art Gallery, with illustration. Issued by the United States Centennial
Commission. (folded)
.6 Centennial
Newspaper Exhibition, with view of the building (done by Crosscup & West)
and floor plans on the reverse
.7 “Suggestions
for Pedestals, Balustrades, & Seats, to be executed in Marble, Natural or
Artificial Stone & located in the Central Avenue & at the Intersection
of avenues & passage ways in the Main Exhibition Building.” (folded
illustration)
.8 Advertisement
for The Illustrated Catalogue of the
United States International Exhibition, 1876, with notice to manufacturers
and exhibiters from Gebbie & Barrie, the publishers.
.9 Circular
for the National Cookery Book proposed
by the Women's Centennial Executive Committee.
.10 Ad
for fireworks available for Centennial celebrations from B.T. Wells of the New
England Laboratory of Boston. [Ad is addressed
to all planning a celebration, not just for the Centennial Exhibition in
Philadelphia.]
.11 Ad
from Maynard's Centennial and Art Bulletin for photographs and stereographs of
the exhibition, Dec. 1876. Also
announces that Maynard’s “Grand Reproductions of the World’s Fair” will be on
exhibit in Boston.
.12 Pamphlet
about the British Section, specifically about 3 silver and steel repoussé items
manufactured by Elkington & Co.
.13 Ad
for A.H. Hews & Co., pottery seller of
.14 Ad
for Perry's Wooden House; address: J.R. Perry, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. The solid wall wooden house was patented Oct.
1874, re-issued March 14, 1876; there is no reference to the Centennial
Exhibition on this item.
.15 Ad
for Ferris Patent Cooker, with instructions for use. Available from Jesup & Sterling, New
York. There is no reference to the
Centennial Exhibition on this item.
.16 Pamphlet
about the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, Hampton, Virginia, with
views of Virginia Hall and Academic Hall.
There is no reference to the Centennial Exhibition on this item.
04x59
Lists
members of the commission, the categories into which exhibits will be divided,
and other rules about exhibits.
Published July 4, 1874.
[note: acc.
69x154.2 is a later version of this.]
Folder 2: Tickets
55.708,
62x92, 12x133, 13x74 Package
tickets to the exhibition good from May 10 to Nov. 10, 1876. All were engraved by the Philadelphia Bank
Note Company and include printed signature of David G. Yates. Three are pink on the back; one is blue-green
and indicates that the cost of entrance was 50 cents.
Ticket numbers: 22545,
71923, 87350, 91788
Folder
3: Stereographs: (acc. 68x37.4-.6; 69x224.1-.9; 77x27.1, 96x61.8; 99x118.8)
68x37: from the Centennial Photographic Co., Philadelphia, 1876:
.4 Reed
& Barton Co.’s silver exhibit in the main building [stereograph number is
illegible];
.5 978
- Reed & Barton Co.’s silver exhibit in the main building, a close-up view
of the exhibit, showing a trophy urn, two sculptures, coffee and tea services,
and other pieces;
.6a-.6b 1453 - Reed & Barton Co.’s
silver exhibit in the main building (2 copies)
69x225: from the Centennial
Photographic Co., Philadelphia, 1876:
.1 1747 - Art Annex, Italian section
[shows statues and paintings];
.2 1748
- Art Annex, Italian section [different view from above];
.3 1418
- Italian section, Memorial Hall Annex [shows statues and paintings];
.4 Maxwell's
Rocky Mountain Museum, Colorado Building [shows mostly taxidermy mammals;
figure of a woman sits holding a bird; stereograph number is illegible];
.5 1731
- Art Annex, Italian Department [shows statues];
.6 1778
- Art Annex, Italian section [shows statues];
.7 796
- Corliss engine;
.8 189
- Art Annex, Italian section [shows statues and paintings; the stereograph
number may actually be four digits, but only the 189 is legible]
69x225.9 1945 - General Washington's carriage,
with notice on back that S.R. Phillips had been awarded prize for his harness
and saddles
77x27.1 1740 [or 1746] - Art Annex, Italian
section [shows some of the same statues and paintings as in 69x225.3] (from the
Centennial Photographic Co., Philadelphia, 1876)
96x61.8 Art Annex, the name of the section and
the number of the stereograph are illegible, but the round items on the wall in
the background are the same as those in the background in 69x225.5, which is
labeled Italian Department (card printed by the Centennial Photographic Co. of
Philadelphia, 1876)
99x118.8
2017x61 “The Centennial – General View from
George’s Hill, showing camp of West Point Cadets,” from Popular Series, no
photographer listed;
a train and
fair buildings are in the background; an entrance gate is in the immediate
foreground;
2018x24.4-.7: from the Centennial
Photographic Co., Philadelphia, 1876:
.4 “838
- Horti. Grounds from Horti. H.”
[Horticultural Grounds from Horticultural Hall], depicting a garden with
a gazebo to one side;
.5 “754
- Horti. Hall East Front” [Horticultural Hall], showing fountain, with this
building in background;
.6 “947
– Lake, from Mach. Hall” [Lake from Machinery Hall], with fountain playing in
lake, buildings around lake, and railroad tracks through the grounds;
.7 “960
– Mach. Hall, N. Avenue from E. End” [Machinery Hall, North Avenue from East
End,” with French exhibits in foreground, and a sign for Great Britain and
Ireland in the middle
Folder
4: Photographs:
71x262 Glass lantern slide of the Italian
Section of the Main Building, 1876, slide number 1454.
Labeled both Centennial
Photographic Co. of Philadelphia, 1876, and L. J. Marcy, Philadelphia
Folder
5: Photographs: (acc. 71x263, all carte-de-visite size)
71x263 Photograph cards, cartes-de-visite, most with handwritten
captions
.1 Interior
view of a room, probably a display of antique furniture [caption illegible]
.2
.3 The
Union Vase
.4 A
head in marble
.5 Baby
house [a doll house]
.6
.7 Arms
and Trophy Department [suits of armor, cannon, weapons]
.8 Rustic
bridge, Horticultural Department
.9 Union Avenue [inside a building]
.10 Union
Avenue (slightly different view from that above)
.11 Interior
view of unnamed building, flags hanging from the ceiling
.12 Relics
and curiosities
.13 Refreshment
saloon, showing waiters, all of whom appear to be African Americans
.14 Firemen's
department (see also .19)
.15 Photograph
Department
.16 India-rubber
Department (so captioned, but sign on wall reads Rubber & Gutta Percha
Department)
.17
.18 Art
Gallery (different view from that above)
.19 Firemen's
Department (different view from .14 above)
.20 Department
of silverware
.21
.22 Independence
Hall (different view from that above)
Folder
6: Lithographs: (acc.
77x356.1-.19)
77x356 Colored lithographs published by
Thomas Hunter, lithographer,
.1 Agricultural
Hall, by L. Aubrun, with dimensions of building
.2 Horticultural
Hall, by L. Aubrun, with dimensions of building
.3 Judges
Hall, by Aubrun, with dimensions of building
.4 Machinery Hall, by Aubrun, with
dimensions of building
.5 Brewers
Building, artist’s name illegible
.6 Butter
and Cheese Factory
.7 Carriage
Exhibition Building
.8 Cook's
World’s Ticket Office
.9 French
Restaurant
.10 Glass
Exhibition Building, Gillinder & Sons
.11
.12
.13
.14 Photograph
Exhibition Building
.15 Pomological
Building
.16 Photographic
Association Studio
.17 Shoe
and
.18 Singer
Sewing Machine
.19 Spanish
Building
Folder 7: Letterhead stationery
83x75.3 Letterhead stationery for Thomas
Hunter, Lithographer, featuring an illustration of the Main Building.
With letter, Th. Hunter
and Lanard, Jan. 20, 1876, to Mr. M. L. Filly: enclosing price list for
Hunter's Centennial pictures and mentioning some of items available.
83x111 billhead for Thomas Hunter,
Lithographer, which does not mention the Centennial Exhibition.
Receipted bill, M. L.
Filley of Troy, N.Y., paid for 100
Centennial views
Folder 8: Map (bound volume)
70x27 Centennial Memento Map of Philadelphia, a bound volume with a
fold-out map, featuring advertisements and engraved illustrations of Centennial
buildings. A few of the ads are in
German.
The map was originally
published by T.R. Callender & Co. in 1872, based on survey of E.
Stoifier. The name John P. Hunt has been
overprinted, as have views of 2 Centennial buildings (Main and Art Gallery).
Handle with great care –
the map is parting along fold lines.
Folder 9: Machine embroidered
picture
80x84 Machine embroidered view of
"Memorial Hall, International Exhibition," made by Werner Itschner
& Co. Philadelphia, Pa., and designed by W. Ecklin, commemorating the
Centennial.
Machine embroidered on
silk with blue threads. The item is in a
contemporary mat and frame.
Folder
10: Centennial Train memorabilia, 1875 (acc. 80x218):
80x218 Centennial Train memorabilia, October 1875:
.1 Printed
circular letter regarding a special Centennial Train to bring special guests from
Buffalo, N.Y., to view the fair grounds.
This special trip was on Oct. 20-21, 1875. (see .2 below, which goes with this item)
.2 Invitation
from the Merchants of Philadelphia to Mr. H.B. Tuttle, “to inspect the
preparations for the...” Centennial Exhibition. Inside is the list of Philadelphia merchants
who extended the invitation. (This
invitation was accompanied by the circular letter above.)
.3 Pictorial
envelope advertising the "First Centennial Train," with an
inscription "about 300 invited from Buffalo [and other places] ... to
examine the buildings and other preparations for the exposition…." The envelope is printed with names of
historian (Thos. Kean), electrician (N. Hucker), and caterer (P.J. Hanour).
.4a-b Newspaper clippings about the train
.5 Ticket
for the Centennial Train, no. 4.
.6-7 Schedules
of the First Centennial Train for
.8 Invitation
to Centennial Lunch, Oct. 20, 1875, catered by P. J. Hanour.
.9 Theater
ticket for guests of the merchants of Philadelphia visiting the city for the
Centennial. “Tom Cobb” and “Sweethearts”
were presented at the Chestnut Street Theatre.
.10 Ticket
for Banquet at the Belmont Pavilion, hosted by the merchants of
.11 Menu
for the banquet, with program of music by Hassler’s Orchestra.
.12 Red
ribbon badge, with gilt printing, Oct. 21, 1875 [probably worn by the guests]
Folder
11: Handkerchief
83x141 Double handkerchief (i.e. two
handkerchiefs which have not been cut apart or hemmed) featuring a depiction of
the
Folder
12: souvenir booklets
04x42.2 “Souvenir of the Centennial
Exposition,” a small booklet (almost 3” x 4 5/8”) with dark red cover, with
fold-out pictures: birds-eye view of the fairgrounds, Main Building, Machinery
Hall, Art Gallery, Agricultural Hall, Horticultural Hall, Women’s
Pavilion.. The name Harriet K. Frunzen
is penciled at the end.
15x9 “Centennial Pocket Album,
1776-1876,” published by the Centennial Album Co. of New York City; registered
at the Patent Office, July 20th, 1875; lithographed by Heppenheimer
& Maurer of New York City.
A small
booklet (about 3” x 4 5/8”) with accordion-pleated pages of pictures of Revolutionary War scenes and the
Centennial Exhibition fairgrounds.
Depicted are the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Carpenter’s
Hall, Liberty Bell, Washington’s Retreat near Philadelphia, Independence Hall
(2 views), Faneuil Hall and Old State House in Boston, Washington’s
headquarters in Newburgh, Old City Hall in New York City, the U.S. Capitol, the
Main Building of the Centennial Exhibition, Agricultural Hall, Machinery Hall,
Horticultural Hall, and Art Gallery.
(These views are different from those in 04x42.2.) Printed inside the front and back covers are
the words to “’The Hymn’ Sung at the Opening of Our Centennial.”
Folder 13: brochure
04x55.1 “Souvenir offert par la ville de Spa
(Belgique),” an advertising brochure about Spa, Belgium, mostly in French, with
the heading “Exposition Internationale de Philadelphie, 1876.” The brochure describes the springs and the
activities of the town, and includes an engraving of “Grand Etablissement des
Bains”
80x85 Illustrated
broadside, “Pennsylvania Railroad / Exclusive Route to the Centennial
Exhibition,” featuring a map of Philadelphia and the Centennial grounds; D.M.
Boyd, Jr., General Passenger Agent; printed by Allen, Lane & Scott's
Railroad and Mercantile Printing House, Philadelphia, Pa., 1876.
It includes
two views, one a bird's eye view of the Centennial grounds and the other a view
of railroad track tanks along a river.
Printed in blue and black.
81x296 “Centennial Souvenir.” A print of an elaborate Centennial Exhibition
badge. Figures from top to bottom
include (there are more than are herein described): Statue of Freedom, Columbia,
statues of soldiers, a central medallion with portraits of George Washington
and U. S. Grant, a seal with horses between views of buildings, two
artillerymen with a cannon, two more seals, another allegorical female figure,
and the Liberty Bell. At the bottom of
the sheet is printed “Keep me for ever.”
Box 2: puzzle
[no
accession number] Centennial
Exhibition Puzzle Blocks, manufactured by George H. Chinnook, Brett Litho. Co.,
lithographer 1875. Pieces are in a
wooden box with an illustration of the main building. Lithographs of the