Collections : [University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.]

This collection contains the friendship album belonging to a woman named Caroline. It is assumed from the locations of the authors of the entries that she was from Massachusetts as towns listed include Plymouth, Boston, Berkley, etc. The earliest note from this album dates from 1837 and is a loose page that was inserted into the front covers. The page has two original poems written in 1837 and 1838, by Ester Holmes of Plymouth, entitled "The Thunder Storm," and "Parting of a mother with her child." The rest of the entries date from 1841 to 1880 and range from short notes and quotes, to full length poems. Aside from the entries made by friends and family, there are six color illustrations of flowers,including the title page, that have been hand finished.

Sentiments and poems of friendship, most signed and some are dated; "Knoxville, [Il.]" "Jacksonville, [Il.]" "Abingdon College, Knox County Illinois" "Princeton, Ill."

This collection contains a large, stamped friendship album dedicated to Ellie F. Keen of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from her father. The album contains a color title page, twelve romantic themed color plates throughout the album, over fifty poems and personal notes, and a full-page watercolor of lovers embracing in the moonlit night. Most inscriptions are signed with a first name only or initials; although, there are some exceptions with the writer's full name. Predominately written between 1848 and 1849.

This collection contains a commonplace book written in by Frances Eleanor "Fannie" Poole and her classmates at the Frederick Female Seminary in Maryland. The book includes a frontispiece, engraved title page, and additional plates. Poole wrote "this side up," beneath her inscription, but the binding is upside down. Poole died at the age of nineteen in 1860, four years after the last dated entry in the book. The book has heavy foxing on the plates and pages were torn from the book.

Hand-written sentiments, poems, and inscriptions, most signed with place, name, and date. Some of the locations are in Massachusetts.

The collection includes lectures and other teaching materials, correspondence, clippings and other printed matter, legal documents, an appraisal of enslaved people, a commonplace book, and a recipe for making indelible ink.

A ladies album belonging to Lucy Bradbury Bruce of Worcester County, Massachusetts which contains five engraved plates, sentiments from friends and family, three calligraphy drawings, and a watercolor theorem of a rose. Most of the well wishes are signed and dated, and many include locations. Predominately the locations and many of the signers are women including two of her sisters.

Maria Morse commonplace book, 1828-1876, 0,.03 cubic feet is a cCommercially produced album with covers of hand-marbled paper with red leather corners and binding, and hand-marbled endpapers. Printed title page reads The Album. / E. Hunt & Co. Middletown Con." Owner has illustrated half-title with heart-shaped flower illustration and a stamp 'The Property of / Maria Morse." Hand-painted floral illustrations in a similar style appear throughout the volume. One page includes an example of hair art. Lengthy and brief entries, mostly poetry (including three acrostics), fill the volume and are marked with locations including Norwich (CT) New York, Lebanon, Salem (CT), and other places. Most as written "To Maria" and a number have the last name "Lillibridge."

This collection contains a commonplace book of Mary M. Russell. The first entry, signed "Mortimer," and dated Rose Mont, August 7, 1844," is a kind of paean to "The Album" itself. Book includes engraved images, verses, drawings, and handwritten entries with place names, including Virginia, Washington, and Maryland. Laid in hand-lettered piece of music, "We no more," addressed to Miss Mary Russell.