Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - May - 2006 Issue
Rare Books and Ephemera from Ian Brabner
Pig-eyed, pudgy Harry Powers was a most unpleasant man.
He was routed a couple of times in Virginia by Stonewall Jackson, and earned the moniker "Commissary Banks" from the Confederates, based on his losses of supplies to the enemy. He would later lead troops in the Deep South, but was removed from command before war's end. After the war, Banks returned to politics in Massachusetts. He was elected as a Republican five times from 1864-1872, as an independent in 1874, and once more as a Republican in 1888. Banks died in 1894, but he will live on in the heart of at least one of his countrymen, whoever buys this picture. $275.
There are countless 19th century American travel books, but Ray Barker was not the typical explorer. Ray was a mere 14 years old when he created his Sketches of a Trip to Niagara Falls, N.Y., and Toronto, Ont. This trip won't rival Lewis and Clark, since he only started from Cleveland, but apparently this book provides an entertaining look at these places through the eyes of a young man in 1877. Item 60. $95.
Joshua R. Giddings was an Ohio congressman in the two decades leading up to the Civil War, who was censored and resigned as a result of his powerful principles. He was first elected in 1838, but the resignation came in 1842, here recounted in An Expose of the Circumstances which Led to the Resignation by the Hon. Joshua R. Giddings... The cause was the seizing of an American slave ship, the Creole, by the slaves onboard. Though it was illegal to import slaves, it was legal to transport them by sea, which the Creole was doing, moving 135 slaves from Virginia to New Orleans. The Captain was killed during the revolt, after which the slaves steered the ship into Nassau, a British island. Those who participated in the revolt were tried, but the majority of slaves were set free. Secretary of State Daniel Webster sent a protest to the British, unsuccessfully demanding their return, but with the mutineers themselves tried, both sides decided it was better to just let the issue slide. However, Congress was not pleased with Giddings or the nine resolutions he presented to inhibit the trade in slaves, and slavery in general. They censored him, whereupon Giddings resigned, stood for re-election, and was easily re-elected by his constituents. He remained in the House until 1858. President Lincoln appointed Giddings Consul General to Canada, where he served until his death in 1864. Item 65. $250.
Here is an item for Woodstock, Vermont, collectors. It may not be of much interest to others, but item 92 is a collection of over 50 1860s to early 1900s Woodstock items, handbills, circulars, small broadsides, pamphlets and the like. They cover dances, plays, lectures, school exhibitions, spelling bees, and graduations, and many other small town activities. For those interested in Woodstock activities or printers, this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity. $750.
