Mattie Davis friendship album

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred citation:

MSS 16789, Mattie Davis friendship album, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Summary

Extent:
.03 Cubic Feet one letter-sized folder
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

MSS 16789, Mattie Davis friendship album, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains a friendship album belonging to Mattie Davis given to her by her father on Christmas Eve, 1861. The album entries date from 1861 to 1867 and the majority of entries are poetry or short verses with themes of morality and friendship. There is no identification of Davis location; however, most entries are from Taylorsville, Indiana, so it is likely she is from that area. In addition to Taylorsville, there are several entries from Dupont, Indiana and Wilmington, Ohio. Also of note are two drawings, both done by the same person, Konn B. Tayres. The first is of the American flag, and shield, done in red, white, and blue ink, with the last stanza of the poem, "The American Flag," by Joseph Rodman Drake underneath it. The other is a pencil drawing of a visiting card, featuring the same motif of the American flag and shield, along with the name "Konn B. Tayres, Main Street, Wilmington, OH." The album features five black and white engravings, including the title page and frontispiece, with a mix of portraits and landscapes.

Acquisition information:
This collection was purchased from Eclectibles by the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia Library on 5 May 2022
Physical description:
Fair. General wear due to age. Foxing on pages with engravings. Cover edge wear and damage to back strip due to rubbing so bottom of the spine is exposed.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard