Beschreibung:

Lot of 4, including photographer Jeremiah M. Greene's sketchbook of photos, a newspaper article about Green, and 2 Civil War letters. Jeremiah M. Greene (born ca 1825), was considered one of the oldest photographers in the United States during the early 20th century, having started his business in Fulton, NY in 1848, and going on to practice in Syracuse, Geneva, and Auburn, NY, then in Cleveland, OH until he retired in his 70s. In an early 20th century newspaper article written about Green (mispelled Greene throughout) and included with this lot, entitled Little Sleep and Much Toil Make An Old Man Young, the photographer is referred to as the veteran of the camera. At the age of 75, Greene explained, I have only slept about four hours a day for the last fifty years...I won't say that four hours a day is enough sleep for everybody, but I do say that it has been, and still is, enough for me. Don't I look it? Although he was retired when the article was published, Greene was still taking pictures at that time, especially outdoor views. In addition to being a well-known photographer, Greene was also the great-grandson of two Revolutionary War generals by the names of Greene and Merrit. This lot features a remarkable album titled in gilt on the cover Photographic Sketches By J. M. Greene, presented to P.A. Bishop, Elyria, O., as indicated on inside cover, large quarto, cloth-covered boards, containing 14 albumen photographs, most accompanied by handwritten captions, 5.75 x 7.75 in., mounted on board, 10.75 x 13 in., most mounted on individual pages, with the exception of four separate images mounted on front and back of pages. One of the highlights is an albumen of Greene and Peter A. Bishop, the fellow to whom Greene presented the sketchbook, gathered together with friends (all identified, including a dog), smoking and drinking wine (labels and crates all easily readable), surrounded by vegetation, stuffed birds, including an American bald eagle and a peacock, and firearms that appear to be hanging from overhead beams. The remaining images capture the landscape and buildings of Elyria, Ohio and the surrounding areas, including the East and West Falls, as well as the East and West Branches of the Black River, Basin Rock, and a dam, plus locations such as Broad Street, the Washington Ave. bridge, the Cleveland Flats, the Beere-House, and two residences, one identified as P.A. Bishop's home. The lot also includes two Civil War letters written by Peter A. Bishop to his wife. Although the letters do not relate directly to the archive, they do contain interesting content. At the age of 43, Bishop enlisted in 1861 and was mustered into the 58th Ohio Infantry. In a letter dated Dec. 1, 1861, written from Cincinnati, Bishop expresses his intense love for his wife and children as well as the sadness he feels for the recent loss of his son Willy. In the second letter, dated July 20, 1862, written from Memphis, Bishop describes an incident that took place in Germantown, TN, in which the locals announced their intentions to hang a German staying in town with his family because he was a Union man. Bishop helped the German family to escape the Tyrants from Germantown. He also mentions a fight that took place between his Company and Company E of the 1st Nebraska Regt., which resulted in one soldier getting stabbed, another getting his head cut open, and a third getting his finger shot off. Overall, an intriguing set of letters that enhance the lot. Condition: Front and back covers no longer attached; scattered staining throughout; some water stains on front and back covers; even toning to photographs; wear to mounts, especially along edges; some of the mounted photographs are still separated by sheets of paper.