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The legislature of 1863 in a collection of autographs gathered by John McShea Jr.

 

The autographs of the Members of the Legislature of 1863 were collected by Assemblyman John McShea, Jr

These men made the laws of the State in the year of Gettysburg and of the Draft Riots, some of them hampering the government with all their strength, while others did all in their power to aid the administration in its conduct of the war. (John E. Boos)


John E. Boos was a dedicated historian and collector from Albany, New York, renowned for his extensive work in preserving and documenting American history, particularly related to the Civil War and the city of Albany.

John McShea Jr. was an American politician who represented Schenectady County in the New York State Assembly in 1863. Affiliated with the Democratic Party, he served during the 86th New York State Legislature, a period marked by the Civil War and significant political activity in the state .

Beyond his legislative role, McShea was also active in public discourse. On April 11, 1863, he delivered a speech titled “The War, Its Causes and the Remedy,” addressing the Civil War’s origins and potential solutions. This speech was preserved in the archives of the Schenectady County Historical Society, indicating his engagement with the pressing issues of his time.

While detailed records of his personal life and broader political career are limited, McShea’s contributions during a pivotal era in American history reflect his involvement in shaping public policy and opinion during the Civil War.

 


Autographs dated April 22, 1863, include Governor Horatio Seymour, Lt. Gov. D. R. Floyd Jones, Sec. of State J. Wesley Smith, and other state officials.



Auction may 19, Curated Selection of Antiquarian and Collectible Books Featuring Literature, History, Natural Science, Theology, and Illustrated Works from the 18th to 20th Centuries

Content retrieved from: https://www.auctionninja.com/waterbury-auction-gallery/sales/details/book-may-19-denis-1406.html?sort=bids&name=&lotno=&view=20&show=#items.

 

This auction catalog features a wide selection of antiquarian and collectible books, spanning subjects such as literature, religion, history, and science. Several items date to the early 19th century or earlier, including leather-bound works, engraved volumes, and regional imprints. Many books retain original bindings and handwritten inscriptions, offering insight into historical readership and ownership.

Among the notable entries is the twelve-volume Autograph Edition of the works of Kate Douglas Wiggin, inscribed by the author. This finely bound set documents Wiggin’s contributions to American children’s literature and domestic fiction. Also included is a rare Arabic Christian volume titled Kitab al-Naba’at (The Book of Prophecies), printed at the Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Dair al-Shuwair, Lebanon, in 1775—an important example of early Arabic movable-type printing in a Christian liturgical context.

Additional highlights include the 1832 edition of The Poetical Works of John Dryden by William Pickering, the 1819 Geography Made Easy by Jedidiah Morse, and Peter Maverick’s engraved portraits from 1803. The catalog reflects a consistent focus on content-rich volumes with bibliographic or historical significance.

Sunday May 18th Rare Photos , Vintage , Antique , Vernacular Including Dags, CDVs, Glass Negatives And More ..

Content retrieved from: https://www.auctionninja.com/waterbury-auction-gallery/sales/details/book-may-25-photo-denis-1418.html.

This auction features an eclectic array of vintage and historical photographs with several standout highlights:

Astronomical Glass Plates Archive (circa 1900): Over 100 glass plates documenting star clusters and celestial phenomena, a rare visual archive of early astronomical photography.
1876 Vellum-bound Volume with Albumen Prints: A finely preserved extra-illustrated book including early albumen prints—an impressive blend of literature and photographic history.
Signed Studio Portraits of Chingwah Lee: Four signed photographs of the Chinese-American actor best known for his Hollywood roles, offering cinematic and cultural value.
Eleanor Roosevelt Press Photograph: A compelling press image distributed by International News Photos, documenting an important public figure in mid-20th-century politics.
Amusing Image of Men Riding Alligators: A pair of whimsical snapshots from the Los Angeles Alligator Farm, a slice of strange Americana.
Construction and Industry: Includes a circa 1900 image of a railway crew and another of a fisherman, offering rare occupational portraits in sepia.