Scrap Book Covering Years 1878 - 1886 At MASS INSTITUTE TECHNOLOGY & VT Academy
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:2782053 |
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The items in this collection reflect the heart and soul of the man who assembled it, Rowland G. Gamwell, of the disting...uished Gamwell family which helped found Rhode Island. He studied at various upper-class educational institutions and was witness to many historical events in New England during the 1880s. Gamwell was a student and graduate of Vermont Academy and of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology - this collection includes choice pieces of memorabilia from those and other institutions, such as Brown University and Worcester Academy.
Gamwell’s archive contains a wide variety of important historical items that date mainly from the early to mid-1880s. This scrapbook was acquired by us because it had a particular crown jewel -- the original programme for Mark Twain’s (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) very first Huckleberry Finn lecture that occurred in Providence, Rhode Island (where Gamwell lived), on November 8th, 1884. That particular programme has been removed from this scrapbook and is not included in this offering. That said, this scrapbook is otherwise complete as found, and contains a plethora of memorabilia including programs, invitations, handbills, broadsides, photographs, and other ephemera that relate to famous people, institutions, places, and events. These items range from a speech by Lizzy Borden’s attorney who got her acquitted from the axe murders (item 92) -- to a rare 1885 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Athletic Club Football broadside (item 6) to an M.I.T. Athletic Club related program for a fundraising event, held by the “Tech” Minstrels, whose show included “Laughing Gas on tap in the Lobby” (item 94) -- to the Cyclist Touring Club of 1885 (item 85) – to famous opera singers, famous actors, and more.
Important musical programs include a very rare one that featured Georg Henschel (Conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and singer) and wife Lillian Henschel in their performance of “The Redemption” at Boston Music Hall in 1883 (item 80), and another program for the Inaugural Recital by Albert Augustus Stanley on the new organ by Hilborne L. Roosevelt of New York at the 1st Baptist Church, Providence, RI in 1885 (item 81).
After graduating from M.I.T. in 1886, Gamwell became a top agent for the Prudential Insurance Company before later becoming a pioneer settler of Fairhaven, Washington (1889, now known as Bellingham). He made a fortune in the real estate market there with the aid of his Boston friends (Thomas Longstaff & Henry Black, who also migrated there) built the Fairhaven Hotel, “Warden’s Castle, ” and the Knights of Pythias building. Not surprisingly, Gamwell’s custom built home still stands at 1001 16th Street, and was designated on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. The city of Bellingham’s website proclaims “The Gamwell house is one of the finest illustrations of Victorian architecture both on Bellingham Bay and the in the Pacific Northwest.”
This listing includes all of the following items, given in order of their appearance in the scrapbook (items 1 to 89), followed by a list of various other items loosely inserted at the back (items 90 to 107):
Item 1. The first page present (covers and spine are missing) has the ownership autograph “Rowland G. Gamwell” in pencil, this page is loose and the verso is blank, approximately 9 ½ by 7 ½ inches.
Here are the rest of items either laid in or mounted to the following pages, in order as they appear:
Item 2 – 1880 Vermont Academy, Saxton’s River, Vermont, Graduation Programme, Concert, & schedule of exercises of Anniversary Week (June 27, 28, 29, 30), original paper wraps tied with blue cord, 8 pages total.
Item 3 - Vermont Academy Concert Programme for May 7, 1880, 4 pages, front cover stamped in black and gold.
Item 4 - Programme for the December 28, 1881 performance of Handel’s Sacred Oratorio THE MESSIAH presented by the Mendelssohn Choral Society of Providence, RI featuring Mrs. H. M. Smith, Soprano, Miss Emily Winant, Contralto, Mr. Herbert E. Brown, tenor, and Mr. John F. Winch, Basso with Full Chorus and German Orchestra Conductor J. Hastings, Jr. Solo Trumpet Mr. E. M. Bagley, Organist Mr. Charles L. Kenyon. 4 pages.
Item 5 – Programme for “Greate Concerte Alle persons who shall come to ye Baptist Church , in Saxton’s River, on Fridaie, Ye 16th Daie of Ye Month of Aprile, In Ye Yere of Our Lord 1880, may hear Sunge & Playede some of ye goode olde Hymns and Tunes and likewise Worldly Songs Certain of wh were sunge in ye yere of Our Lord 1780.” Printed at ye Times Printing office in Bellows Falls. 4 pages. [Reminiscent of the style of Mark Twain’s “Date 1601 Conversation, as it was by the Social Fireside, in the Time of the Tudors “which was also coincidentally printed in 1880.]
Item 6. Rare Football Broadside for Massachusetts Institute of Technology Athletic Club 1885 “ODE To Jack-Ass DeBoer” (who was likely a Senior star football athlete, class of ’85, who got his rear end handed to him by a Freshman and Sophomore team). M.I.T. was one of just four teams in the “Northern Collegiate Football Association “ then, and defeated Tufts 110 – 0 that year. Amazingly, MIT stopped intercollegiate football in 1901 and didn’t resume such activity until the late 1970s. Here is an excerpt from of this rare broadside, that measures about 4 by 9 inches,
“ He woke to rise with undraped base And meet the Freshman face to face, While on his Trojan heart of oak The blows fell thick and fast.More fierce and furious raged the fight While rang athwart the silent night…They fought like brave men, long and well: With furniture smashed they piled the floor;‘Fresh’ conquered and DeBoer fell, Sweating at every pore;And when the battle’s end befell, The football was no more…” Item 7- Vermont Academy “Literary Exercises Senior Class 1882” (Fall term 1881), Gamwell’s paper was titled “Deeds, not words, make heroes.”
Item 8- Constitution & by-laws of the Boy’s Christian Association of Providence, RI
Item 9- 1881 Vermont Academy Closing Exercises card, post card size, listing events for June 26, 27, 28, 29th.
Item 10- Vermont Academy ’81 Class Poem by Fred L. Sanborn. One page, about 4 by 7 inches. Mounted.
Items 11 to 47 - are 37 individually mounted cut outs (on two pages) of emblems, includes Commonwealth of Massachusetts official symbol, and Delta Upsilon symbols.
Item 48 -Vermont Academy Program for Graduation exercises class of 1881, 8 pages total (last two blank), approximately 4 ½ by 7 inches, with ornate engraving on front cover by John A. Lowell & Co., Boston, copyright 1880. Mounted.
Item 49 -- Vermont Academy February 1881 black bordered notice for the Alumni Dinner June, 1881 & soliciting funds for a Memorial Picture of Mr. Lazell” one 5 by 8 inch page. Mounted.
Item 50 - Massachusetts Institute of Technology Class of 1883 Graduation Exercises Program Tuesday May 29, 1883 11 A. M.” Roland Gamwell was a freshman at M.I.T. then (he would graduate in 1886). 4 pages, 6 by 9 inches, some uneven browning, word “Chase” handwritten on rear cover. Mounted.
Item 51- being a Solicitation for funds for the newly established Charles Thurbur Lazell Library Fund for the Vermont Academy at Saxton’s River” 8 by 5 inches, 4 pages (front and rear cover blank). Mounted.
Item 52 - Samoset House , Court Street, Plymouth, Mass., Front page with engraving of the massive hotel, 2nd page has advertisement explaining the recent purchase of the property and are renovating it, and that the house will remain open all year long, dated May 4, 1882, pages 3 & 4 list “Plymouth and Its Attractions” including “Points of Interest, ” “Pilgrim National Monument” “Scenery, Drives, Etc.” and “Purity of the Air and Water.”
Four envelopes mounted to one page:
Item 53 - Envelope with HANDWRITTEN invitation to Gamwell by Mr. & Mrs. Willard of the Vermont Academy requesting his company Monday evening, April 17, 1882.
Item 54 - Envelope with invitation to the 4th Annual Party of the Nine Pin Club at the Masonic Banquet Hall Friday Evening, Dec 9, 1881. Listed in the Committee of arrangers is “L. H. Gamwell, Jr., ” probably a relative or Roland’s.
Item 55 - Envelope with 1882 Debating Club Programme (likely a Vermont Academy event), front cover with engraving of alligator, for May 26, 1882 debate, Roland Gamwell is listed as doing the “Declamation” titled “The Baron’s Last Banquet.” Rear cover has handwritten upon it in cursive “Compliments of the Debating Club. R. G. G. Sec’y and Treas.” R.G.G. is Roland G. Gamwell.
Item 56 - Envelope addressed to “Gamwell & Family” containing an invitation to Brown University Class Day Exercises June 14, 1878 that also prints the programme with addresses by Elton Hoyt, Albert N. Dary , James Rea , William H. Sweetland , and E. G. Robinson , D.D., L.L.D.” Laid in is also a calling card of Alfred N. Fairbank and an original ticket to the Brown university Class of ’78 Promenade Concert June 14, 7:30 P.M. Admit Gentleman and Ladies.”
Item 57. Humorous post card advertising a newly published book, The Grinder Papers – Being the Adventures of Miss Charity Grinder Wherein Are Detailed Her Numerous Hair-Breadth Escapes and Wonderful Adventures While on a Visit to New York From the Country by Charity Grinder ( Mary Kyle Dallas ), dated June 18th, 1877, being a facsimile letter from Charity Grinder inviting herself to “your house on next Thursday” “for a short visit of about 3 weeks, and you mustn’t press me to sta enny longer…” Mounted.
Item 58 - Vermont Academy programme for Class Day June 1, 1882, there are just 13 graduating Seniors listed, including “Roland Greene Gamwell Providence, R. I.” also contains handwritten information about the ceremonies not printed on the programme, likely by Roland. 4 pages, three have printing. Mounted.
Item 59 - Vermont Academy graduation ceremonies programme for June 27th & 28th, 1882. 4 pages, 3 have printing. Roland G. Gamwell was the first presentation on the 28th, titled “Physical Culture in College : Salutatory Address.”
Item 60 - Envelope with the original Invitation to the 5th Annual Nine Pin Club Country Dance at the Masonic Banquet Hall January 10, 1883.
Item 61 - Envelope containing wedding announcement cards of Minnie H. Davis and larger card “Mr. & Mrs. B. F. Stafford, Bennington, VT
Item 62 - Envelope containing Massachusetts Institute of Technology Dance to be given in Berkeley Hall , March 2nd, 1883 sponsored by the 2 G Society of M.I.T.
Item 63 - Envelope containing a completely handwritten invitation (certainly was hand delivered) to a meeting of “The O.B.G. Club at their rooms in the Bank Block, at thirty minutes past nine this evening. Yours Fraternally, A. J. Perry, Acting Secretary, Winchendon, August 11th 1881.”
Item 64 - Handbill / Broadside for the play based on the eighth novel by Charles Dickens ( The Personal History , Adventures , Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery [ Which He Never Meant to Publish on Any Account ] , published as a book in 1850). “The Childhood of David Copperfield The Younger “presented by the Ladie’s Friendly Society - Vestry of Unitarian Church – Winchester – Friday Evening March 2, 1883. Features Roland G. Gamwell as Mr. Dick and Frederick Winsor, Jr. as David Copperfield. About 4 ½ by 9 inches printed on one side only.
Item 65 - Another such broadside for the same Charles Dickens David Copperfield play “Repeated by Request” 27 days later on March 29, 1883. Has some alterations that improve the broadside.
Item 66 - Original Rules of Vermont Academy “Adopted by the Trustees, November 29, 1876” likely printed circa 1878 when Roland Gamwell first became a student there. This is a straight forward, simple set of 8 rules that inform the student that the Principal is now in complete control of the student’s entire life including his/her having to attend church regularly on the Sabbath, and perform Bible exercises to his satisfaction.
Item 67 - Fold-out map of the United States showing “Divisions of Standard Time” by the John Hancock Mutual Insurance Company, extracted from a copy of the Pathfinder Railway Guide. No date, but circa early 1880s, approx. 9 by 10 inches.
Item 68 - Providence, RI Music Hall Programme for -- “Tableaux Vivants” (and one Tableaux Mouvant “Young Mendelssohn and the Adult Singing Class) accompanied by Vocal and Instrumental Music, and Readings, in aid of the funds of the Women’s City Missionary Society and Y. M. C. A. Visitation of the Sick, Music Hall, Monday Evening, January 26, 1885. This massive production included 27 separate scenes. Scenes ranged from “Sampson Pulling Down the Pillars of the Temple” to Longfellow’s posthumous poem “Michael Angelo” to “Lady Jane Grey Listening to the Midnight Chime in the Tower of London the Night Before her Execution” to “Napoleon Informing Josephine of his Decision For a Divorce” to “Landing of Roger Williams. From a series of forty original designs, illustrating events in local history adapted for picturesque effect, and intended for use in the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of Providence, June, 1886.” According to Wikipedia, a tableau vivant is “French for 'living picture', and is a static scene containing one or more actors or models. They are stationary and silent, usually in costume, carefully posed, with props and/or scenery, and may be theatrically lit. It thus combines aspects of theatre and the visual arts.” This also contains scenes of “Columbus Introducing Indians from the New World to Ferdinand and Isabella” and of works by James Russell Lowell, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and others. About 8 by 5 inches, 4 pages, rear cover advertises, among other things, the January 28, 1885 Gymnasium Exhibition and the programme of the 14 different events to happen then, the February 6 lecture by Edward Everett Hale Jr. on “Foreign Interference in Egypt”, Feb 13 Brown University Glee Club , the Feb 27 readings by Hannibal A. Williams , and a Vocal and Instrumental Concert by Director Robert Bonner .
Item 69 - Massachusetts Institute of Technology Athletic Club two-sided card for an 1883 athletic event simply headed “M. I. T. A. C. “at the top with “H. Ward Leonard, ’83, President. F. O. Harriman, ’83, Vice-President, H. D. Bennett, ’84, Treasurer, H. G. Pratt, ’85, Secretary…” with the Executive Committee listing them and also “H. S. Chase ’83, Chairman., H. F. Baldwin, ’84, D. Baker, ’85, and J. G. Hadley ’86.” On the other side of the card is a list of nine athletic events, and contains pencil notes (must have been made by the eye-witness Roland Gamwell) of specific details of this athletic day that included “Standing High Jump” between T. C. DuPont and F. M. Haines. Gamwell’s notes indicate that DuPont reached 4 feet 3 inches, while Haines beat him by 2 inches at 4 feet 5 inches. Other events included Fencing, Fence Vault, Tug of War, and Pole Vault. More of Gamwell’s handwritten notes pertain to the class team Tug of War of classes ’83 vs class of ’84 vs class of ’85 vs class of ’86.
Item 70 - Massachusetts Institute of Technology programme for Junior Exercises May 11, 1883, 4 pages, front cover engraved with a scene of an empty boat with a bird at the front, and two more printed pages outlining the 20 exercises to transpire that day.
Item 71 - Another copy of above May 11 M. I. T. Event but with a different front cover engraving of a locomotive train.
Item 72 - Invitation card for Roland Gamwell to join Daniel Webster Abercrombie that reads – “Mr. & Mrs. Abercrombie request the pleasure of your company at the Senior Reception Wednesday June 13, 8 P. M. Worcester Academy.” (1883). Abercrombie was, according to Wikipedia, “the most important person in the history of Worcester Academy. He was the principal of the school from 1882 until 1918 and in those 36 years created both the historic campus and the culture of the Academy. In his early life he witnessed the tumult of American Civil War, which greatly influenced his personal ideals and morphed into those of the school.” In envelope addressed to Rowland in Providence, Rhode Island that is partially mounted.
Item 73 - Original invitation to the SENIOR BALL of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Odd Fellows Hall Friday Evening, May Fourth 1883. With THE ORIGINAL TICKET of admittance to that Senior Ball Promenade Concert & Dancing which has Gamwell’s name written in ink upon it. Housed in the original envelope with tissue guard, that whole being in the original transmittal envelope that is mounted.
Item 74 - Original invitation to Lieut. R. G. Gamwell Co. B., “The officers of the 1st Battalion B. S. R. request the pleasure of your presence at their Exhibition Drill, to be given at the Drill Hall, E. H. S. Building, on Friday, April the 27th, at 1:05 o’clock. Full Uniform requested. Respectfully yours, E. R. Metcalf, 1st lieutenant and Adjt. 1st Battalion B. S. R. (Please present this at the Main Entrance, on Montgomery St.)” Housed in the original transmittal envelope, mounted.
Item 75 - Notices for week beginning November 23, 1884 of the First Baptist Church, Providence, RI 2 pages, mounted.
Item 76 - Constitution and by-laws of the Boy’s Christian Association of Providence, R.I., 3 pages, mounted.
Item 77 - Very old paper photograph about 4 by 6 inches, very silvered, can barely make out the image of a woman. Possibly an image of Gamwell’s mother or grandmother.
Item 78 - Circa 1880s tintype photograph of a group of very well-dressed men, women, and children, with everyone wearing a hat, and the women wearing gloves, located at what appears to be the base of a large rock formation, perhaps of the Gamwell family on vacation or at a favorite spot in Providence Rhode Island .
Item 79 - Circa 1870s or 80s antique tintype photograph of two men dressed in costumes that appear to be based on the Knights of Pythias, with the man on the right being the headsman (Groano the Hangman of Syracuse ) with the skull and cross bones mounted on his chest, possibly taken at the “O. B. G. Costume Party Christmas 1879” as a piece of paper seems to indicate, but could date later.
Item 80 - Original programme for “The Redemption “featuring Lillian June Henshel, Soprano & her husband Georg Henshel (conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and close friend of Brahms), Bass on Good Friday, March 23, 1883 at the Boston Music Hall presented by the Handel and Haydn Society. 8 pages approximately 6 1/2by 10 inches. Also featured Mrs. E. Humphrey-Allen, Soprano, Miss Ita Welsh, Contralto, Mr. William J. Winch, Tenor, Mr. Franz Remmertz , Bass, Mr. Carl Zerrahn , Conductor, Mr. B. J. Lang, Organist, and Mr. B. Listemann, Leader. Along the bottom of the front cover advertises “Easter Sunday, March 25th, Mendelssohn’s Elija. Solos by Miss Emma Albani, Mrs J. E. Tippet, Mrs. Ella Cleveland Fenderson, Miss Mary H. How, Mr. Charles R. Adams, Mr. A. E. Pennell, Mr. D. M. Babcock, and Mr. Myron W. Whitney. Some staining and wear to edges, mounted at left margin, otherwise very good condition.
Item 81 - Original Programme for the Inaugural Recital by Albert A. Stanley at the First Baptist Church (Charitable Baptist Society) Providence, Rhode Island on the New Organ built by Hilborne L. Roosevelt of New York. Friday Evening February 6, 1885. Four pages, 7 by 11 inches, mounted and folded. Contains a great deal of information about the organ, the rear cover contains the actual Programme of songs played.
Item 82 - Original Programme for the 1st Concert by the Brown University Glee Club of the 1883 – 1884 season, Monday, December 22, 1884. 4 pages, approx. 4 by 5 inches, mounted.
Item 83 - Original Programme for the Princeton College Glee Club Concert March 26, 1885. 8 pages, approx. 4 by 6 inches.
Item 84 - Original Programme for Vermont Academy Class Day May 21, 1883, 4 pages approx. 3 ½ by 5 inches.
Item 85 - Cyclist Touring Club November 15, 1885 membership renewal letter from the United States Chief Consulate Savin Hill, Boston, Mass, also informs members that “Chief Consul Weston, has in a great measure, recovered from his late severe illness, and will soon be able to resume the direction of the Division as before.” Approx. 6 ½ by 9 ½ inches on blue laid paper stationery.
Item 86 - Original Knights of Pythias Handbill for “Frederick Warde the Renowned Tragedian in the play of Damon and Pythias at the Academy of Music Philadelphia, one week only Commencing November 9th, 1885.” “Frederick Warde in the character of Damon Has no Equal on the American Stage – The principles of the Order of Knights of Pythias are founded on true friendship, such as was exhibited by Damon and Pythias, which is described in the following historical story, upon which the play is based.” The next three pages are dedicated to providing the history of that story, and a very positive review of the play as performed in Cleveland, Ohio. 4 pages total, approximately 5 by 8 ½ inches, mounted at left edge, very good overall condition.
Item 87 – Empty envelope addressed to “Roland G. Gamwell, No. 68 Doyle Street, Providence “
Item 88 - Railroad ticket broker card from Cincinnati, Ohio showing the distances from there to 53 other major destination cities as far west as Lincoln Nebraska (759 miles away) and Fargo Dakota Territory (978 miles away), to as far east as New York City New York (757 miles away) and Boston Mass (910 miles away), to as far south as New Orleans Louisiana (924 miles away). Item 89 - Between two pages toward the end of the album is what appears to be a very thin multi-colored fabric (plant?) of some sort of a very delicate texture. Whatever it is, it was very important to Roland Gamwell for some reason. Pictures available upon request of this and every other item in this archive, just ask.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS LAID IN:
Item 90 - Original programme for Graduating Exercises of the Bellows Falls High School, June 24, 1881 at Union Hall, Bellows Falls, Vermont. Four pages approximately 6 by 3 inches. Rear cover soiled and has evidence of prior mounting, else about very good.
Item 91 – “ Vermont Academy 1882 Class Prophecy ” Broadside Poem, that praises and predicts the futures of 12 of the 13 graduates of 1882, being written by the 13th, “Althea A. Babcock, Class Prophetess.” The 12 grads were : Nellie Alpin , Herbert Hibbard , Frank D. White , Miss Mary Richmond , Frank Votey , William Eugene Carter , Elbran Bowers , Miss Helen Thacher ("Claimed by one Major Bachelder "), Fred Parker , Norman Geer , Roland Greene Gamwell , and Vincent Freeman . Large 8 1/2 by 12 inches printed on one side only, folded to about 5 by 3 inches, housed in the perfectly fitting transmittal envelope addressed to “Roland G. Gamwell Mass. Inst. Of Technology, Boston, Mass.” (defective with mounting areas and stamp removed), with Gamwell’s pencil note “Class Prophecies R.G.G.”on the front. Broadside has Gamwell’s name handwritten on the verso, which matches the handwriting that addressed the envelope.
Item 92 - Invitation to the 36th annual Convention of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity held with the Upsilon Chapter, Brown University October 18 & 19, 1882. Housed in the original envelope addressed to “R. G. Gamwell & Lady.” This also includes the original programme for the opening ceremonies including the 1st address, which was given by General Francis Amasa Walker, president of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (was also an Economist, Statistician, Civil servant, Military officer, Superintendent of the 1870 and 1880 censuses, and Commissioner of Indian Affairs (1871–1872)). In addition to that, an oration was given by attorney Andrew Jackson Jennings, who, ten years later, would successfully defend the famous Lizzie Borden, whose axe murder case was eventually acquitted thanks to his efforts (also includes a calling card of a Brown University Student, Edward A. Godding, from the class of 1886).
Item 93 - Original Dance Card for the Corps of Cadets Massachusetts Institute of Technology Afternoon party April 7, 1883. Roland Gamwell has signed the top of the second page in ink and recorded who he danced with. Approx 4 ½ by 3 ½ inches, 4 pages with ivory (silk?) cord.
Item 94 - Original Programme “TECH” MINSTRELS given under the auspices of the V.L. Club for the benefit of the M.I.T. Athletic Club. The Union Hall, May 1, 1883. “Ushers will arouse the audience every um-teen minutes. Laughing Gas on tap in the lobby; some weaker for smiles at diluted rates.” Featured a musical concert and 7 entertaining acts that included “Our $500 a week sketch artists Lou Riley and Bob De Coster in an amusing mélange of character acting” “Banjo Duet by Messrs. Perkins and Kingsbury” and “Boney Billy, the Bully Bone Beater, in his blood-curdling feat of disintegration, in which, without the aid of a net, his body remains on the stage, while his bones dance in mid-air.” 4 pages, approx. 7 by 5 inches.
Item 95 - Programme for the Annual Prize Drill Corps of Cadets, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Athletic Club May 12, 1883. Review of the Battalion by the President of the Institute, General Francis A. Walker. Battalion Drill Under the Command of Maj. Chas. R. Richards, etc. The fourth page lists “Company B Cap’t Nat’l G. Robertson., 1st Lieut., Roland G. Gamwell. 2nd Lieut., Chas. C. Doe.” About 3 ½ by 4 ½ inches, four pages total.
Items 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103 - Group of 8 original Italian postal receipts for shipments (apparently from Roland Gamwell, with his pencil notes on the contents sent to America from Italy) all to Providence, Rhode Island from Italy including the post offices of Bologna, Firenza (Florence), Napoli (Naples), and Milano. In May and June of 1884. Approx 1 ½ by 3 inches each.
Item 104 - Original programme for the Hymn and Tonan Sung at the Opening of Chatham Road Baptist Chapel, Pittsburgh, May 23, 1886 printed in Welsh. Begins “Meet 10.30 am Behold, thou hast built thy name, A great Lord of a place to speak of One that was nailed On the wood between heaven and floor A place to praise and c..” Four pages printed in purple, approx. 9 by 5 inches.
Item 105 - Programme for the First Annual Ball of Court Morais No. 7379, A.O.F. at Turner Hall, Jane St. South Side, on December 17th 1886. Music by Grand Army Orchestra.” 4 pages, approx. 3 ½ by 4 ½ inches, 2 inch split between pages 2 and 3, else very good condition.
Item 106 - Prudential Insurance Farewell Dinner Superintendent to Staff of Utica District, July 19, 1887 at the Metropolitan Hotel in Utica, New York. By this time Roland Gamwell was working as a Prudential Insurance agent. Two years late Gamwell would be in the Seattle area and become a pioneer settler in the area now known as Nellingham, Washington, where he became a prosperous agent and important citizen there. This 1887 dinner was a grand event with Mock Turtle Soup, Boiled Salmon Trout with Anchovy Sauce, Roast Ribs of Beef, Spring Lamb with Mint Sauce, Broiled Spring Chicken, and Lobster Salad as main courses with lots of side dishes, desserts, fruits, and nuts. The bottom of the menu ends with a Prudential Insurance Company poem,
Then, here’s his health, his joy, his wealth; And in the world’s proud pageant, Give room and space and honored place, To the live Prudential agent.
Item 107 - Knights of Pythias Supreme Lodge of the World 15th Session in the City of Cincinnati events June 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15th 1888 Pythian Period 25. Triangular Multi-Color Lithographed (by the Henderson-Archert Lithograph Company, Cin., O.) 10 page invitation to the events and programme for them, in the original triangular envelope, unaddressed, likely handed to Gamwell in person. Very good condition overall, a beautiful production.
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The items in this collection reflect the heart and soul of the man who assembled it, Rowland G. Gamwell, of the disting...uished Gamwell family which helped found Rhode Island. He studied at various upper-class educational institutions and was witness to many historical events in New England during the 1880s. Gamwell was a student and graduate of Vermont Academy and of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology - this collection includes choice pieces of memorabilia from those and other institutions, such as Brown University and Worcester Academy.
Gamwell’s archive contains a wide variety of important historical items that date mainly from the early to mid-1880s. This scrapbook was acquired by us because it had a particular crown jewel -- the original programme for Mark Twain’s (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) very first Huckleberry Finn lecture that occurred in Providence, Rhode Island (where Gamwell lived), on November 8th, 1884. That particular programme has been removed from this scrapbook and is not included in this offering. That said, this scrapbook is otherwise complete as found, and contains a plethora of memorabilia including programs, invitations, handbills, broadsides, photographs, and other ephemera that relate to famous people, institutions, places, and events. These items range from a speech by Lizzy Borden’s attorney who got her acquitted from the axe murders (item 92) -- to a rare 1885 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Athletic Club Football broadside (item 6) to an M.I.T. Athletic Club related program for a fundraising event, held by the “Tech” Minstrels, whose show included “Laughing Gas on tap in the Lobby” (item 94) -- to the Cyclist Touring Club of 1885 (item 85) – to famous opera singers, famous actors, and more.
Important musical programs include a very rare one that featured Georg Henschel (Conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and singer) and wife Lillian Henschel in their performance of “The Redemption” at Boston Music Hall in 1883 (item 80), and another program for the Inaugural Recital by Albert Augustus Stanley on the new organ by Hilborne L. Roosevelt of New York at the 1st Baptist Church, Providence, RI in 1885 (item 81).
After graduating from M.I.T. in 1886, Gamwell became a top agent for the Prudential Insurance Company before later becoming a pioneer settler of Fairhaven, Washington (1889, now known as Bellingham). He made a fortune in the real estate market there with the aid of his Boston friends (Thomas Longstaff & Henry Black, who also migrated there) built the Fairhaven Hotel, “Warden’s Castle, ” and the Knights of Pythias building. Not surprisingly, Gamwell’s custom built home still stands at 1001 16th Street, and was designated on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. The city of Bellingham’s website proclaims “The Gamwell house is one of the finest illustrations of Victorian architecture both on Bellingham Bay and the in the Pacific Northwest.”
This listing includes all of the following items, given in order of their appearance in the scrapbook (items 1 to 89), followed by a list of various other items loosely inserted at the back (items 90 to 107):
Item 1. The first page present (covers and spine are missing) has the ownership autograph “Rowland G. Gamwell” in pencil, this page is loose and the verso is blank, approximately 9 ½ by 7 ½ inches.
Here are the rest of items either laid in or mounted to the following pages, in order as they appear:
Item 2 – 1880 Vermont Academy, Saxton’s River, Vermont, Graduation Programme, Concert, & schedule of exercises of Anniversary Week (June 27, 28, 29, 30), original paper wraps tied with blue cord, 8 pages total.
Item 3 - Vermont Academy Concert Programme for May 7, 1880, 4 pages, front cover stamped in black and gold.
Item 4 - Programme for the December 28, 1881 performance of Handel’s Sacred Oratorio THE MESSIAH presented by the Mendelssohn Choral Society of Providence, RI featuring Mrs. H. M. Smith, Soprano, Miss Emily Winant, Contralto, Mr. Herbert E. Brown, tenor, and Mr. John F. Winch, Basso with Full Chorus and German Orchestra Conductor J. Hastings, Jr. Solo Trumpet Mr. E. M. Bagley, Organist Mr. Charles L. Kenyon. 4 pages.
Item 5 – Programme for “Greate Concerte Alle persons who shall come to ye Baptist Church , in Saxton’s River, on Fridaie, Ye 16th Daie of Ye Month of Aprile, In Ye Yere of Our Lord 1880, may hear Sunge & Playede some of ye goode olde Hymns and Tunes and likewise Worldly Songs Certain of wh were sunge in ye yere of Our Lord 1780.” Printed at ye Times Printing office in Bellows Falls. 4 pages. [Reminiscent of the style of Mark Twain’s “Date 1601 Conversation, as it was by the Social Fireside, in the Time of the Tudors “which was also coincidentally printed in 1880.]
Item 6. Rare Football Broadside for Massachusetts Institute of Technology Athletic Club 1885 “ODE To Jack-Ass DeBoer” (who was likely a Senior star football athlete, class of ’85, who got his rear end handed to him by a Freshman and Sophomore team). M.I.T. was one of just four teams in the “Northern Collegiate Football Association “ then, and defeated Tufts 110 – 0 that year. Amazingly, MIT stopped intercollegiate football in 1901 and didn’t resume such activity until the late 1970s. Here is an excerpt from of this rare broadside, that measures about 4 by 9 inches,
“ He woke to rise with undraped base And meet the Freshman face to face, While on his Trojan heart of oak The blows fell thick and fast.More fierce and furious raged the fight While rang athwart the silent night…They fought like brave men, long and well: With furniture smashed they piled the floor;‘Fresh’ conquered and DeBoer fell, Sweating at every pore;And when the battle’s end befell, The football was no more…” Item 7- Vermont Academy “Literary Exercises Senior Class 1882” (Fall term 1881), Gamwell’s paper was titled “Deeds, not words, make heroes.”
Item 8- Constitution & by-laws of the Boy’s Christian Association of Providence, RI
Item 9- 1881 Vermont Academy Closing Exercises card, post card size, listing events for June 26, 27, 28, 29th.
Item 10- Vermont Academy ’81 Class Poem by Fred L. Sanborn. One page, about 4 by 7 inches. Mounted.
Items 11 to 47 - are 37 individually mounted cut outs (on two pages) of emblems, includes Commonwealth of Massachusetts official symbol, and Delta Upsilon symbols.
Item 48 -Vermont Academy Program for Graduation exercises class of 1881, 8 pages total (last two blank), approximately 4 ½ by 7 inches, with ornate engraving on front cover by John A. Lowell & Co., Boston, copyright 1880. Mounted.
Item 49 -- Vermont Academy February 1881 black bordered notice for the Alumni Dinner June, 1881 & soliciting funds for a Memorial Picture of Mr. Lazell” one 5 by 8 inch page. Mounted.
Item 50 - Massachusetts Institute of Technology Class of 1883 Graduation Exercises Program Tuesday May 29, 1883 11 A. M.” Roland Gamwell was a freshman at M.I.T. then (he would graduate in 1886). 4 pages, 6 by 9 inches, some uneven browning, word “Chase” handwritten on rear cover. Mounted.
Item 51- being a Solicitation for funds for the newly established Charles Thurbur Lazell Library Fund for the Vermont Academy at Saxton’s River” 8 by 5 inches, 4 pages (front and rear cover blank). Mounted.
Item 52 - Samoset House , Court Street, Plymouth, Mass., Front page with engraving of the massive hotel, 2nd page has advertisement explaining the recent purchase of the property and are renovating it, and that the house will remain open all year long, dated May 4, 1882, pages 3 & 4 list “Plymouth and Its Attractions” including “Points of Interest, ” “Pilgrim National Monument” “Scenery, Drives, Etc.” and “Purity of the Air and Water.”
Four envelopes mounted to one page:
Item 53 - Envelope with HANDWRITTEN invitation to Gamwell by Mr. & Mrs. Willard of the Vermont Academy requesting his company Monday evening, April 17, 1882.
Item 54 - Envelope with invitation to the 4th Annual Party of the Nine Pin Club at the Masonic Banquet Hall Friday Evening, Dec 9, 1881. Listed in the Committee of arrangers is “L. H. Gamwell, Jr., ” probably a relative or Roland’s.
Item 55 - Envelope with 1882 Debating Club Programme (likely a Vermont Academy event), front cover with engraving of alligator, for May 26, 1882 debate, Roland Gamwell is listed as doing the “Declamation” titled “The Baron’s Last Banquet.” Rear cover has handwritten upon it in cursive “Compliments of the Debating Club. R. G. G. Sec’y and Treas.” R.G.G. is Roland G. Gamwell.
Item 56 - Envelope addressed to “Gamwell & Family” containing an invitation to Brown University Class Day Exercises June 14, 1878 that also prints the programme with addresses by Elton Hoyt, Albert N. Dary , James Rea , William H. Sweetland , and E. G. Robinson , D.D., L.L.D.” Laid in is also a calling card of Alfred N. Fairbank and an original ticket to the Brown university Class of ’78 Promenade Concert June 14, 7:30 P.M. Admit Gentleman and Ladies.”
Item 57. Humorous post card advertising a newly published book, The Grinder Papers – Being the Adventures of Miss Charity Grinder Wherein Are Detailed Her Numerous Hair-Breadth Escapes and Wonderful Adventures While on a Visit to New York From the Country by Charity Grinder ( Mary Kyle Dallas ), dated June 18th, 1877, being a facsimile letter from Charity Grinder inviting herself to “your house on next Thursday” “for a short visit of about 3 weeks, and you mustn’t press me to sta enny longer…” Mounted.
Item 58 - Vermont Academy programme for Class Day June 1, 1882, there are just 13 graduating Seniors listed, including “Roland Greene Gamwell Providence, R. I.” also contains handwritten information about the ceremonies not printed on the programme, likely by Roland. 4 pages, three have printing. Mounted.
Item 59 - Vermont Academy graduation ceremonies programme for June 27th & 28th, 1882. 4 pages, 3 have printing. Roland G. Gamwell was the first presentation on the 28th, titled “Physical Culture in College : Salutatory Address.”
Item 60 - Envelope with the original Invitation to the 5th Annual Nine Pin Club Country Dance at the Masonic Banquet Hall January 10, 1883.
Item 61 - Envelope containing wedding announcement cards of Minnie H. Davis and larger card “Mr. & Mrs. B. F. Stafford, Bennington, VT
Item 62 - Envelope containing Massachusetts Institute of Technology Dance to be given in Berkeley Hall , March 2nd, 1883 sponsored by the 2 G Society of M.I.T.
Item 63 - Envelope containing a completely handwritten invitation (certainly was hand delivered) to a meeting of “The O.B.G. Club at their rooms in the Bank Block, at thirty minutes past nine this evening. Yours Fraternally, A. J. Perry, Acting Secretary, Winchendon, August 11th 1881.”
Item 64 - Handbill / Broadside for the play based on the eighth novel by Charles Dickens ( The Personal History , Adventures , Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery [ Which He Never Meant to Publish on Any Account ] , published as a book in 1850). “The Childhood of David Copperfield The Younger “presented by the Ladie’s Friendly Society - Vestry of Unitarian Church – Winchester – Friday Evening March 2, 1883. Features Roland G. Gamwell as Mr. Dick and Frederick Winsor, Jr. as David Copperfield. About 4 ½ by 9 inches printed on one side only.
Item 65 - Another such broadside for the same Charles Dickens David Copperfield play “Repeated by Request” 27 days later on March 29, 1883. Has some alterations that improve the broadside.
Item 66 - Original Rules of Vermont Academy “Adopted by the Trustees, November 29, 1876” likely printed circa 1878 when Roland Gamwell first became a student there. This is a straight forward, simple set of 8 rules that inform the student that the Principal is now in complete control of the student’s entire life including his/her having to attend church regularly on the Sabbath, and perform Bible exercises to his satisfaction.
Item 67 - Fold-out map of the United States showing “Divisions of Standard Time” by the John Hancock Mutual Insurance Company, extracted from a copy of the Pathfinder Railway Guide. No date, but circa early 1880s, approx. 9 by 10 inches.
Item 68 - Providence, RI Music Hall Programme for -- “Tableaux Vivants” (and one Tableaux Mouvant “Young Mendelssohn and the Adult Singing Class) accompanied by Vocal and Instrumental Music, and Readings, in aid of the funds of the Women’s City Missionary Society and Y. M. C. A. Visitation of the Sick, Music Hall, Monday Evening, January 26, 1885. This massive production included 27 separate scenes. Scenes ranged from “Sampson Pulling Down the Pillars of the Temple” to Longfellow’s posthumous poem “Michael Angelo” to “Lady Jane Grey Listening to the Midnight Chime in the Tower of London the Night Before her Execution” to “Napoleon Informing Josephine of his Decision For a Divorce” to “Landing of Roger Williams. From a series of forty original designs, illustrating events in local history adapted for picturesque effect, and intended for use in the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of Providence, June, 1886.” According to Wikipedia, a tableau vivant is “French for 'living picture', and is a static scene containing one or more actors or models. They are stationary and silent, usually in costume, carefully posed, with props and/or scenery, and may be theatrically lit. It thus combines aspects of theatre and the visual arts.” This also contains scenes of “Columbus Introducing Indians from the New World to Ferdinand and Isabella” and of works by James Russell Lowell, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and others. About 8 by 5 inches, 4 pages, rear cover advertises, among other things, the January 28, 1885 Gymnasium Exhibition and the programme of the 14 different events to happen then, the February 6 lecture by Edward Everett Hale Jr. on “Foreign Interference in Egypt”, Feb 13 Brown University Glee Club , the Feb 27 readings by Hannibal A. Williams , and a Vocal and Instrumental Concert by Director Robert Bonner .
Item 69 - Massachusetts Institute of Technology Athletic Club two-sided card for an 1883 athletic event simply headed “M. I. T. A. C. “at the top with “H. Ward Leonard, ’83, President. F. O. Harriman, ’83, Vice-President, H. D. Bennett, ’84, Treasurer, H. G. Pratt, ’85, Secretary…” with the Executive Committee listing them and also “H. S. Chase ’83, Chairman., H. F. Baldwin, ’84, D. Baker, ’85, and J. G. Hadley ’86.” On the other side of the card is a list of nine athletic events, and contains pencil notes (must have been made by the eye-witness Roland Gamwell) of specific details of this athletic day that included “Standing High Jump” between T. C. DuPont and F. M. Haines. Gamwell’s notes indicate that DuPont reached 4 feet 3 inches, while Haines beat him by 2 inches at 4 feet 5 inches. Other events included Fencing, Fence Vault, Tug of War, and Pole Vault. More of Gamwell’s handwritten notes pertain to the class team Tug of War of classes ’83 vs class of ’84 vs class of ’85 vs class of ’86.
Item 70 - Massachusetts Institute of Technology programme for Junior Exercises May 11, 1883, 4 pages, front cover engraved with a scene of an empty boat with a bird at the front, and two more printed pages outlining the 20 exercises to transpire that day.
Item 71 - Another copy of above May 11 M. I. T. Event but with a different front cover engraving of a locomotive train.
Item 72 - Invitation card for Roland Gamwell to join Daniel Webster Abercrombie that reads – “Mr. & Mrs. Abercrombie request the pleasure of your company at the Senior Reception Wednesday June 13, 8 P. M. Worcester Academy.” (1883). Abercrombie was, according to Wikipedia, “the most important person in the history of Worcester Academy. He was the principal of the school from 1882 until 1918 and in those 36 years created both the historic campus and the culture of the Academy. In his early life he witnessed the tumult of American Civil War, which greatly influenced his personal ideals and morphed into those of the school.” In envelope addressed to Rowland in Providence, Rhode Island that is partially mounted.
Item 73 - Original invitation to the SENIOR BALL of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Odd Fellows Hall Friday Evening, May Fourth 1883. With THE ORIGINAL TICKET of admittance to that Senior Ball Promenade Concert & Dancing which has Gamwell’s name written in ink upon it. Housed in the original envelope with tissue guard, that whole being in the original transmittal envelope that is mounted.
Item 74 - Original invitation to Lieut. R. G. Gamwell Co. B., “The officers of the 1st Battalion B. S. R. request the pleasure of your presence at their Exhibition Drill, to be given at the Drill Hall, E. H. S. Building, on Friday, April the 27th, at 1:05 o’clock. Full Uniform requested. Respectfully yours, E. R. Metcalf, 1st lieutenant and Adjt. 1st Battalion B. S. R. (Please present this at the Main Entrance, on Montgomery St.)” Housed in the original transmittal envelope, mounted.
Item 75 - Notices for week beginning November 23, 1884 of the First Baptist Church, Providence, RI 2 pages, mounted.
Item 76 - Constitution and by-laws of the Boy’s Christian Association of Providence, R.I., 3 pages, mounted.
Item 77 - Very old paper photograph about 4 by 6 inches, very silvered, can barely make out the image of a woman. Possibly an image of Gamwell’s mother or grandmother.
Item 78 - Circa 1880s tintype photograph of a group of very well-dressed men, women, and children, with everyone wearing a hat, and the women wearing gloves, located at what appears to be the base of a large rock formation, perhaps of the Gamwell family on vacation or at a favorite spot in Providence Rhode Island .
Item 79 - Circa 1870s or 80s antique tintype photograph of two men dressed in costumes that appear to be based on the Knights of Pythias, with the man on the right being the headsman (Groano the Hangman of Syracuse ) with the skull and cross bones mounted on his chest, possibly taken at the “O. B. G. Costume Party Christmas 1879” as a piece of paper seems to indicate, but could date later.
Item 80 - Original programme for “The Redemption “featuring Lillian June Henshel, Soprano & her husband Georg Henshel (conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and close friend of Brahms), Bass on Good Friday, March 23, 1883 at the Boston Music Hall presented by the Handel and Haydn Society. 8 pages approximately 6 1/2by 10 inches. Also featured Mrs. E. Humphrey-Allen, Soprano, Miss Ita Welsh, Contralto, Mr. William J. Winch, Tenor, Mr. Franz Remmertz , Bass, Mr. Carl Zerrahn , Conductor, Mr. B. J. Lang, Organist, and Mr. B. Listemann, Leader. Along the bottom of the front cover advertises “Easter Sunday, March 25th, Mendelssohn’s Elija. Solos by Miss Emma Albani, Mrs J. E. Tippet, Mrs. Ella Cleveland Fenderson, Miss Mary H. How, Mr. Charles R. Adams, Mr. A. E. Pennell, Mr. D. M. Babcock, and Mr. Myron W. Whitney. Some staining and wear to edges, mounted at left margin, otherwise very good condition.
Item 81 - Original Programme for the Inaugural Recital by Albert A. Stanley at the First Baptist Church (Charitable Baptist Society) Providence, Rhode Island on the New Organ built by Hilborne L. Roosevelt of New York. Friday Evening February 6, 1885. Four pages, 7 by 11 inches, mounted and folded. Contains a great deal of information about the organ, the rear cover contains the actual Programme of songs played.
Item 82 - Original Programme for the 1st Concert by the Brown University Glee Club of the 1883 – 1884 season, Monday, December 22, 1884. 4 pages, approx. 4 by 5 inches, mounted.
Item 83 - Original Programme for the Princeton College Glee Club Concert March 26, 1885. 8 pages, approx. 4 by 6 inches.
Item 84 - Original Programme for Vermont Academy Class Day May 21, 1883, 4 pages approx. 3 ½ by 5 inches.
Item 85 - Cyclist Touring Club November 15, 1885 membership renewal letter from the United States Chief Consulate Savin Hill, Boston, Mass, also informs members that “Chief Consul Weston, has in a great measure, recovered from his late severe illness, and will soon be able to resume the direction of the Division as before.” Approx. 6 ½ by 9 ½ inches on blue laid paper stationery.
Item 86 - Original Knights of Pythias Handbill for “Frederick Warde the Renowned Tragedian in the play of Damon and Pythias at the Academy of Music Philadelphia, one week only Commencing November 9th, 1885.” “Frederick Warde in the character of Damon Has no Equal on the American Stage – The principles of the Order of Knights of Pythias are founded on true friendship, such as was exhibited by Damon and Pythias, which is described in the following historical story, upon which the play is based.” The next three pages are dedicated to providing the history of that story, and a very positive review of the play as performed in Cleveland, Ohio. 4 pages total, approximately 5 by 8 ½ inches, mounted at left edge, very good overall condition.
Item 87 – Empty envelope addressed to “Roland G. Gamwell, No. 68 Doyle Street, Providence “
Item 88 - Railroad ticket broker card from Cincinnati, Ohio showing the distances from there to 53 other major destination cities as far west as Lincoln Nebraska (759 miles away) and Fargo Dakota Territory (978 miles away), to as far east as New York City New York (757 miles away) and Boston Mass (910 miles away), to as far south as New Orleans Louisiana (924 miles away). Item 89 - Between two pages toward the end of the album is what appears to be a very thin multi-colored fabric (plant?) of some sort of a very delicate texture. Whatever it is, it was very important to Roland Gamwell for some reason. Pictures available upon request of this and every other item in this archive, just ask.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS LAID IN:
Item 90 - Original programme for Graduating Exercises of the Bellows Falls High School, June 24, 1881 at Union Hall, Bellows Falls, Vermont. Four pages approximately 6 by 3 inches. Rear cover soiled and has evidence of prior mounting, else about very good.
Item 91 – “ Vermont Academy 1882 Class Prophecy ” Broadside Poem, that praises and predicts the futures of 12 of the 13 graduates of 1882, being written by the 13th, “Althea A. Babcock, Class Prophetess.” The 12 grads were : Nellie Alpin , Herbert Hibbard , Frank D. White , Miss Mary Richmond , Frank Votey , William Eugene Carter , Elbran Bowers , Miss Helen Thacher ("Claimed by one Major Bachelder "), Fred Parker , Norman Geer , Roland Greene Gamwell , and Vincent Freeman . Large 8 1/2 by 12 inches printed on one side only, folded to about 5 by 3 inches, housed in the perfectly fitting transmittal envelope addressed to “Roland G. Gamwell Mass. Inst. Of Technology, Boston, Mass.” (defective with mounting areas and stamp removed), with Gamwell’s pencil note “Class Prophecies R.G.G.”on the front. Broadside has Gamwell’s name handwritten on the verso, which matches the handwriting that addressed the envelope.
Item 92 - Invitation to the 36th annual Convention of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity held with the Upsilon Chapter, Brown University October 18 & 19, 1882. Housed in the original envelope addressed to “R. G. Gamwell & Lady.” This also includes the original programme for the opening ceremonies including the 1st address, which was given by General Francis Amasa Walker, president of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (was also an Economist, Statistician, Civil servant, Military officer, Superintendent of the 1870 and 1880 censuses, and Commissioner of Indian Affairs (1871–1872)). In addition to that, an oration was given by attorney Andrew Jackson Jennings, who, ten years later, would successfully defend the famous Lizzie Borden, whose axe murder case was eventually acquitted thanks to his efforts (also includes a calling card of a Brown University Student, Edward A. Godding, from the class of 1886).
Item 93 - Original Dance Card for the Corps of Cadets Massachusetts Institute of Technology Afternoon party April 7, 1883. Roland Gamwell has signed the top of the second page in ink and recorded who he danced with. Approx 4 ½ by 3 ½ inches, 4 pages with ivory (silk?) cord.
Item 94 - Original Programme “TECH” MINSTRELS given under the auspices of the V.L. Club for the benefit of the M.I.T. Athletic Club. The Union Hall, May 1, 1883. “Ushers will arouse the audience every um-teen minutes. Laughing Gas on tap in the lobby; some weaker for smiles at diluted rates.” Featured a musical concert and 7 entertaining acts that included “Our $500 a week sketch artists Lou Riley and Bob De Coster in an amusing mélange of character acting” “Banjo Duet by Messrs. Perkins and Kingsbury” and “Boney Billy, the Bully Bone Beater, in his blood-curdling feat of disintegration, in which, without the aid of a net, his body remains on the stage, while his bones dance in mid-air.” 4 pages, approx. 7 by 5 inches.
Item 95 - Programme for the Annual Prize Drill Corps of Cadets, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Athletic Club May 12, 1883. Review of the Battalion by the President of the Institute, General Francis A. Walker. Battalion Drill Under the Command of Maj. Chas. R. Richards, etc. The fourth page lists “Company B Cap’t Nat’l G. Robertson., 1st Lieut., Roland G. Gamwell. 2nd Lieut., Chas. C. Doe.” About 3 ½ by 4 ½ inches, four pages total.
Items 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103 - Group of 8 original Italian postal receipts for shipments (apparently from Roland Gamwell, with his pencil notes on the contents sent to America from Italy) all to Providence, Rhode Island from Italy including the post offices of Bologna, Firenza (Florence), Napoli (Naples), and Milano. In May and June of 1884. Approx 1 ½ by 3 inches each.
Item 104 - Original programme for the Hymn and Tonan Sung at the Opening of Chatham Road Baptist Chapel, Pittsburgh, May 23, 1886 printed in Welsh. Begins “Meet 10.30 am Behold, thou hast built thy name, A great Lord of a place to speak of One that was nailed On the wood between heaven and floor A place to praise and c..” Four pages printed in purple, approx. 9 by 5 inches.
Item 105 - Programme for the First Annual Ball of Court Morais No. 7379, A.O.F. at Turner Hall, Jane St. South Side, on December 17th 1886. Music by Grand Army Orchestra.” 4 pages, approx. 3 ½ by 4 ½ inches, 2 inch split between pages 2 and 3, else very good condition.
Item 106 - Prudential Insurance Farewell Dinner Superintendent to Staff of Utica District, July 19, 1887 at the Metropolitan Hotel in Utica, New York. By this time Roland Gamwell was working as a Prudential Insurance agent. Two years late Gamwell would be in the Seattle area and become a pioneer settler in the area now known as Nellingham, Washington, where he became a prosperous agent and important citizen there. This 1887 dinner was a grand event with Mock Turtle Soup, Boiled Salmon Trout with Anchovy Sauce, Roast Ribs of Beef, Spring Lamb with Mint Sauce, Broiled Spring Chicken, and Lobster Salad as main courses with lots of side dishes, desserts, fruits, and nuts. The bottom of the menu ends with a Prudential Insurance Company poem,
Then, here’s his health, his joy, his wealth; And in the world’s proud pageant, Give room and space and honored place, To the live Prudential agent.
Item 107 - Knights of Pythias Supreme Lodge of the World 15th Session in the City of Cincinnati events June 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15th 1888 Pythian Period 25. Triangular Multi-Color Lithographed (by the Henderson-Archert Lithograph Company, Cin., O.) 10 page invitation to the events and programme for them, in the original triangular envelope, unaddressed, likely handed to Gamwell in person. Very good condition overall, a beautiful production.
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