Broadsides

Pittsburgh Farmers’ and Mechanics’ Turnpike Company Broadside

(Turnpikes and Toll Roads) Broadside, “RATES OF TOLLS. PITTSBURGH FARMERS’ AND MECHANICS’ TURNPIKE COMPANY. 560 x 405 mm. (22 x 16 in).

The broadside lists rates for nearly every conceivable vehicle and animal that used the road including pigs, sheep, and cattle (charged 6 1/4 cents by the dozen) as well a variety of horse-drawn vehicles charged on basis of size of wheels as well as number of axles. Also, two oxen were considered equivalent to one horse for toll-taking purposes. (And you thought tolls at the Lincoln Tunnel were complicated.)

The Farmers’ and Mechanics’ Turnpike Company was established around 1829 and had completed a road on the outskirts of Pittsburg around 1837. The road continued in operation for several decades until it was sold to the City of Pittsburgh in 1871 after years of falling tolls and growing indebtedness.^* The road roughly followed the course of modern-day Fifth Avenue.

Light foxing and soiling, some light edge wear, contemporary ink marks at margin, folds, separated vertical fold repaired on verso with archival tape, else very good.

(EXA 5363) $475
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^* Proceedings and Debates of the Convention of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1837), 322; [Advertisement] The Daily Pittsburgh Gazette (1 Apr. 1836) calling for proposals for “grading, stoning, and erecting the necessary Bridges and Culverts of the first two miles…commencing at the city line”; Pennsylvania Session Laws (1863), 431-433; Laws of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1871), 579-580.

1880 Boston and Hingham Steam Boat Company broadside

(Steam Boats) Broadside, “BOSTON AND HINGHAM STEAM BOAT CO. ON AND AFTER MONDAY OCTOBER 11th, 1880 STEAMER GOV. ANDREW WILL LEAVE ROWE’S WHARF, BOSTON…” (Boston: F. A. Searle, Printer, [1880]) 496 x 370 mm. (19 1/2 x 14 1/2 in.). For only a quarter you could get a one-way ticket from Boston to either Hull, Downer Landing or Hingham. The same ride today would set you back $8.00 ($16.00 if you’re going to Logan Airport). The steamer Gov. Andrew was built in 1874 and plied the Boston/Hingham/Hull route well into the 1880s.^*

Laid onto a larger linen sheet, light dampstain at top left corner, looses affect some text which has been filled in, overall very good.

(EXA 5364) $350

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^* Thomas Tracy Bouvé et al, History of the Town of Hingham, Massachusetts, (1893) Vol. 1, 250-251.

Union patriotic rally broadside from Iowa, 1863

(Iowa in the Civil War) Broadside, 555 x 413 mm. (21 3/4 x 16 1/4 in.), ([n.p., 1863]) announcing a planned “Grand Rally of UNION MEN IN MASS CONVENTION! AT FAIRFIELD, IOWA, ON SATURDAY, FEB. 21, 1863, AT 12 O’CLOCK M.” with the appeal: “LET THE FRIENDS OF THE OLD FLAG COME TO THE Rescue of their Country!” while promising “DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS From abroad have been invited, and are expected to be present and address the people.” In an appeal across party lines, the broadside adds quotes from two prominent Democrats who, at the outbreak of war became solid union men: Stephen Douglas and Joseph Holt.

A large and evocative broadside.

Dampstains, light soling and folds as shown, several minor losses at folds do not significantly affect text. Simply framed. Not examined out of frame.

(EXA 5341) $3,750

A Hagerstown, Maryland Civil War draft broadside

(Civil War in Maryland) Broadside, 227 x 127 mm. (11 x 5 in.), [Hagerstown, Md., c. October 1862- March 1865] headed, “The Draft! IF YOU ARE LIABLE, Look to Your Interests!”, in an effort to fill the ranks of the Union Army.

“At a town meeting held on Saturday evening last, the undersigned were appointed a Committee to devise measures to relive the District from the Draft. After mature consideration, the Committee have determined on the raising of a Fund to enable them to offer a District Bounty to Volunteers, as the readiest way of attaining the end in view.” Observing that the quota for the district around Hagerstown had been reduced to 33 men, they proposed raising a “district bounty” to induce enough enlistments to make the draft unnecessary. It appears that the committee was successful in its effort.

Updegraff’s Hat Store was an unfortunate victim on Confederate plundering during the Gettysburg campaign losing $1,000 worth of hats that were sent back to Virginia for use of the army. (Boston Traveler, 3 July 1863, 2). John D. Swartz was a Hagerstown tailor who at the time was selling military uniforms “at Philadelphia prices.” (The Herald of Freedom & Torch Light, 22 Oct. 1862, 3).

One horizontal crease, light toning and marginal wear, else fine condition.

(EXA 4549) $450

Broadside advertising land in Illinois to emigrants, c. 1845

(Illinois) Broadside, 9 3/4 x 12 in. imploring, “EMIGRANTS desirous to provide homes in the Western States, are offered the following prime lands in the rising State of Illinois.” ([New York], c. 1845).

The broadside, commissioned by M. Myers at 35 Wall Street, lists the available parcels (mostly of 160 acres) together with the geographical coordinates and the county. The listings have been annotated, in an unknown hand, presumably with the names of the purchasers (most of which appear to be “Jones”) Myers notes that the lands “… are located in the most settled part of the state, and mostly in the neighbourhood [sic] of flourishing villages. They will be sold very low, in parcels or separately, either for all cash, or quarter cash, and balance 2, 4, and 6 years, with interest, payable yearly, at 7 per cent. The titles are unquestionable.”

Moderate toning along cleanly separated vertical crease that has been expertly repaired on verso, else very good. Encapsulated for preservation.

(EXA 4291) $1,100

Rare Revolutionary War Broadside Ordering the Confiscation of Supplies from those unwilling to sell to the Continental Army

(American Revolution) Broadside, AN ACT AND LAW, Made and passed by the General Court or Assembly of the State of Connecticut, in America; holden at New-Haven, on the second Thursday of October, Anno Domini 1776. An Act to compel the furnishing necessary Supplies, and Assistance to the Quarter-Master-General of the Continental Army. (New London: Printed by T. Green, Printer to the Governor and Company, 1778), 295 x 175 mm. (11 3/4 x 7 in.) with summary printed at right margin, “Persons refusing to sell to the Quarter-Master Gen. any Articles for Use of the Army, the same to be taken by Warrant.”

The law stipulated, that “…if any Person or Persons within this Colony shall upon Request, refuse to sell or supply to the Quartermasters-General of the Continental Army the Articles of timber, Boards, Shingles, Brick or Stone, or to sell or let their Horses, Oxen Carts or Carriages for transporting the same… any one Assistant or Justice of the Peace within this Colony… are hereby ordered… to grant a proper Warrant or Warrants for the impressing from any such Person or Persons so refusing…”

Extremely Rare. Evans 15764. Johnson, H.A., New London, 1078. We are aware of only one extant edition of this broadside which is housed at the Library of Congress. We have never seen a copy appear at auction.

Light toning, minor stitch holes along left margin not affecting text, minor creasing, else very good.

(EXA 4911) $2,500

1860 Slave Auction Broadside from Missouri

(Slavery) Broadside, 260 x 355 mm. (10 x 14 in. sight), Boonville, Mo., 16 January 1860. An announcement of an “EXECUTORS’ SALE OF VALUABLE SLAVES” offering seven named men, women and children (together with one unnamed child) ranging from one to forty-five years in age. The executors of the estate “of Joseph Staples deceased … now offer at PRIVATE S[AL]E, on a credit till the 1st March, 1860…” Below each slave is named together with their approximate age including Maria (45), York, (45), Allen, (35), Alfred (6), Henry (6), Isaac (4), and Jane (2) as well as “Child unnamed, aged 1 year.” Below the list of the slaves offered, the executors note that “In case said slaves are not sold at private sale as above stated, they will be sold at Public Auction, to the highest bidder, for cash in hand…” This was probably the last time the named people would be subject to this indignation.

Toning and losses to several letters of text along center vertical crease which have been filled in, several ink emendations including a designation of “Exhibit ‘A’” at to left corner, else very good condition overall. Archival matting and framing. Not examined out of frame.

(EXA 4544) $2,250

A scarce 1862 broadside for the Holliday Street Theater, owned by John T. Ford, also the proprietor of Ford’s Theater, the site of Lincoln’s assassination in 1865

(John T. FORD) Broadside, 403 x 142 mm. (15 3/4 x 4 1/2 in.), for the Holliday Street Theater, (Baltimore: “‘The Printing Office,’ Sun Iron Building,” [1862^*]). A nice example promoting a run of performances by Annette Ince in Lady of Lyons, and the farce, Crimson Crimes.

The Holliday Theater was the first house managed by Ford. He leased the Hollday only a few years after entering the theatrical business as a tour manager of George Kunkel’s Nightingale Minstrels at age 22.

Light toning and faint dampstain at bottom, marginal wear including some minor chips not affecting text, folds, else very good.

(EXA 4551) $175

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^* See Baltimore Sun, 5 September 1862., 2., “Holliday Street Theatre”.

All politics is local: 1828 Anti-Jackson Campaign Broadside

(Election of 1828) Rare Broadside, 12 3/8 x 10 3/4 in., “To the honest and well meaning friends of Gen. Jackson” ([Bath, N.Y.?, 1828]). A fascinating political broadside specifically attacking John Magee (1794-1868), a prominent Jacksonian in Steuben County first elected to Congress in 1826 after a successful stint as sheriff.

The broadside accuses Magee of publishing a broadside advocating a pro-southern, anti-tariff message—part of a blistering series of attacks orchestrated by his political opponents. It reads, in part: “John Magee, & Co. have lately issued a scurrilous handbill, wherein they take the liberty of abusing Gen. McClure, H. Wells, Z. A. Leland, Esqrs. Judges Steele and Knox, together with many others…” The broadside’s anonymous authors then move on to character assassination accusing Magee of abandoning the interests of his constituents accusing him of being unqualified for his high office: “Who is John Magee? … He is a man alike destitute of talents and education, we mean such talents as are the indispensable requisites of a member of Congress; yet at a single leap he arrived at the Capitol of the nation!!! For this we do not pretend to blame him, but we blame him for abandoning the interests of his constituents, in becoming the disciple of John Randolph & Co. The champion of Roanoke is truly and accomplished artist in the manufacture of dough faces, if we judge from the specimen now before us… It is no uncommon occurrence for Mr. Magee to abuse even some men of his own party when they refuse to be dictated by him, in proof of this we have only to refer you to John R. Gansevoort, Elisha Hanks, C.P. Fulton and many more of the same party. But we have done with this subject, and will only say that if Mr. Magee should be Elected it will not be by the votes of the THIRTY-SIX EDITORS.”

The 36 editors notwithstanding, Magee defeated his Democratic opponent, Timothy H. Porter—5,390 to 4,382. Jackson fared similarly in Steuben County.¹ According to a memorial biography of Magee, President Jackson “regarded him as a man of extraordinary sagacity and soundness of judgement, and made him his confidential friend and adviser. He often consulted him upon important questions, and offered him a seat in his Cabinet, which Mr. Magee, however, declined,— preferring, as he did, the greater freedom of action, and the more favorable opportunity for attention to his own private business…”²

Rare. We have been able to source one extant example at the American Antiquarian Society. OCLC 438094359. Not in Shaw-Shoemaker.

Rough at margins, light foxing and creases, ink docket on verso bleeds through to recto but not obscuring text, else very good.

(EXA 4487) $2,000

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¹ Albany Argus, 16 December 1828, 2; National Advocate (New York), November 29, 1828, 2.

² F. S. Howe, Memorial of John Magee… (New York: Charles Scribner & Company, 1870), 26.

1832 Andrew Jackson Campaign Broadside

(Andrew Jackson) Broadside, 9 3/4 x 10 1/2 in. (sight), for “JACKSON Republican Meeting”. ROME, [N.Y.], 1 November, 1832. “The Republican Electors of the town of Rome, friendly to the re-election of GEN. ANDREW JACKSON, and the present General and State Administration are requested to meet at the House of Thomas Ford, this afternoon, at 5 o’clock. A general attendance is requested.”

A long list of names appears below the exhortation to attend, attesting to the growing strength of the Jacksonian Democrats in Oneida County, New York. In the general election held the following Tuesday, Jackson won the county. (John Quincy Adams enjoyed a plurality in the county in 1828.)¹

Light soiling and folds, else fine. Matted and framed. Not examined out of frame.

(EXA 4494) $2,750

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¹ See county-by-county election result maps courtesy of the Minnesota Population Center. National Historical Geographic Information System: Version 2.0. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota (1828 and 1832).

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