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The United States Sanitary Commission Theatre Program and Autograph Book

 Collection
Identifier: I-48

Scope and Content Note

The collection contains items involving the company of Philp & Solomons booksellers, pertaining to the fund-raising work of the United States Sanitary Commission.

The theatre program, printed by Philp & Solomons (Washington, DC) on silk, announces a performance on Oct, 17, 1863 at Grover's Theater of Macbeth, with the part of Lady Macbeth to be played by Charlotte Cushman. The autograph album is bound in red morocco and has a label from the Metropolitan Book Store of Philp & Solomons (Washington, DC). The book contains 270 autographs of members of the Executive and Legislative branches of the United States government, 1864, including President Abraham Lincoln, Vice President Hannibal Hamlin, Lincoln's two private secretaries, and members of the Cabinet and the United States Congress.

Also among the signatures are those of future President James Garfield, future Vice President Thomas Hendricks, Lincoln's former law partner John T. Stuart, Thaddeus Stevens, James Blaine, John Sherman, Ignatius Donnelly and Benjamin Gratz Brown. The volume was presented for auction on behalf of the United States Sanitary Commission on January 6, 1864, by the firm of Philp & Solomons. The collection also contains library catalog cards with information on the USSC.

Dates

  • 1863-1864

Creator

Language of Materials

The collection is in English, Yiddish, and Hebrew.

Access Restrictions

This collection is not presently open to the public.

Use Restrictions

Collection is not currently open to the public.

Historical Note

The United States Sanitary Commission was a civil organization founded by Elizabeth Blackwell and others, and sanctioned by the War Department. The Commission was in official operation June 9, 1861-1879 and provided medical and sanitary assistance Union soldiers during the American Civil War.

Extent

.25 Linear Feet (1 half manuscript box)

Abstract

This collection contains research, catalog cards, a theater program and an autograph book autograph book with signatures of members of the Executive and Legislative branches of the United States government, 1864.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into a single series.

Physical Location

Located in AJHS New York, NY

Acquisition Information

Gifts of Philip D. and Elsie O. Sang Foundation 1968, 1982 (1968.016)

Digitization Note

The collection was digitized in its entirety.

Title
Guide to the United States Sanitary Commission Theatre Program and Autograph Book, 1863-1864   I-48
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Boni Joi Koelliker
Date
© 2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is in English.

Revision Statements

  • June 2016: Added dao links by Eric Fritzler.
  • January 2021: EHyman: post-ASpace migration cleanup.

Repository Details

Part of the American Jewish Historical Society Repository

Contact:
15 West 16th Street
New York NY 10011 United States