Presidents:
Abraham Lincoln. ANS, "A. Lincoln," as President: "Mrs. E.L. Viele, I send this line for your album as you request." 3 1/4x4 inches. 14 March 1864 Ulysses S. Grant. ALS, "U.S. Grant": ". . . Knowing the great benefits received by troops under my command . . . at the hands of the United States, and other, Sanitary Commissions, I cannot refrain expressing my approval of, and desire for the success of, the enterprise . . . ." 2 pages, 4to, written on a single folded sheet. "Head Quarters, Mil. Div. of the Miss. / Nashville, Ten. Feb'y 15th 1864" James Madison. DS, passport for Louis Bancel. Small 4to. 4 June 1806 Andrew Jackson. ALS, as President, to the Secretary of the Treasury, approving a proposal to make the pay for physicians and surgeons at a marine hospital proportionate to the number of patients served. 4to. 23 April 1829 Millard Fillmore. ALS: "I am honored by . . . your . . . asking my autograph for the New York Fair. . . ." 8vo, ruled paper, with integral blank. 26 March 1864 Franklin Pierce. ALS, apologizing that he cannot contribute [to the Fair]. Small 4to, mourning stationery. 4 April 1864 James Buchanan. ALS: ". . . Congratulations [to] you on the unexampled success of the New York Fair for the relief of the brave & disabled soldiers . . . ." 8vo, with integral blank. 2 May 1864 (George Washington). Manuscript document, check to Bailey Washington in the amount of $500, bearing George Washington's signature in hand of unknown forger. 2 1/4x6 inches. "Philadel'a, Feb'y 12th 1794."

Artists, Writers, and Scientists:
Emanuel Leutze. Two graphite drawings: The first, head of George Washington in profile, Signed "E. Leutze," in ink. With an Autograph Inscription Signed at lower edge: "I could not find a better subject / to fill the place / E.L." 3 1/2x3 1/4 inches (drawing), 11 1/4x9 inches overall, drawn on album page with embossed decorative border. Nd. The second, a frontiersman on horseback after a figure in his painting, "Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way," with holograph title at upper left: "A Knight Errant of the Prairies," Signed and Inscribed at lower edge, in pencil: "West Point July 1862 / for Mrs. Gen'l Viele / with compliments / E Leutze." 7x9 inches Nathaniel Hawthorne. ALS, "Nath'l Hawthorne": ". . . My condition prevents me from producing any original composition for the benefit of the Fair, or from doing more than expressing my sincerest sympathy in its objects . . . ." 8vo. 8 March 1864 Washington Irving. ANS, [to his brother] (lacking salutation), 6 lines inquiring after his dogs at Sunnyside. With a note from his nephew, Pierre M. Irving, attesting to the recipient, place (Madrid), and date (1843) of the former note. Nd. Both on small slips of paper William Cullen Bryant. Autograph Manuscript dated and Signed, fair copy of his poem, "Not Yet." 4to, written on album page. 22 February 1864 Harriet Beecher Stowe. AQS, "H.B. Stowe," 9 lines from Isaiah: "Every valley shall be exalted . . . & the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together." Small 8vo. With a brief ANS, sending the AQS. 30 March 1864 James Russell Lowell. Autograph Poem Signed, "J.R. Lowell," probably original composition in 4 verses: "The Autograph," beginning "'Tis an old thought, & oft exprest." 8vo. 7 February 1864 John Greenleaf Whittier. Autograph Poem Signed, "J.G.W.," complete fair copy of "Brown of Ossawatomie." With an ALS, sending the poem. 3 pages, 4to, written on a single folded sheet. 14 February 1864 Lydia H. Sigourney. Autograph Poem Signed, "L. Huntley Sigourney," complete fair copy of "Stars in My Country's Sky." 3 pages, 8vo, ruled paper, written on a single folded sheet. November 1860 Oliver Wendell Holmes. Autograph Poem Signed, complete fair copy of "Never or Now," with a postscript signed: ". . . copied for the 'Metropolitan Fair' at the request of Mrs. General Viele. O.W.H." 2 pages, 4to, written on separate sheets. 13 February 1864 Victor Hugo. ANS, "V.H.," to an unnamed recipient, sending thanks for flowers, in French. 16mo, with integral blank, mourning stationery. 26 February no year Thomas Francis Meagher. ANS, lacking salutation: ". . . shall not all the treasure and all the life it took to preserve it for the future, vast as the measure of both has been, find their reimbursement in the new value they accord it; and the nobler devotion which the price of its preservation must inspire?" 4to, written on album page. 3 March 1864 Julia Ward Howe. Autograph Poem Signed, complete fair copy of her "The Dead Christ." 3 pages, 4to, written on a single folded sheet. Nd Louis Agassiz. Brief ALS, "LAgassiz," to "My dear Alex," in French, concerning a trip to Niagara and further travel plans. 8vo. 23 January 1864.

Americana--Civil War:
John L. Worden. Autograph Manuscript dated and Signed: "The battle fought at Hampton Roads on the 9th of March 1862, between the U.S. Iron Clad 'Monitor' of 2 guns and the Rebel Iron Clad 'Merrimac' of 12 guns . . . ." Square 8vo, ruled paper. 25 February 1864 Winfield Scott. ANS, lacking salutation: ". . . One, at the instance of this Fair, has only to write a name in an Album, to secure a terrestrial immortality." 4to, written on album page. 1864 John A. Dix. ANS, lacking salutation: "Every day brings with it fresh evidence of the hopelessness of the rebel cause . . . ." 4to, written on album page. 1864 Irvin McDowell. ALS, later fair copy of his telegram to George B. McClellan from Manassas on June 12, 1862: ". . . My Third Division, McCall's, is now on the way. Please do me the favor to so place it that it may be in a position to join the others as they come down from Fredericksburg." 4to, ruled paper. Nd John Sedgwick. ALS, sending a photograph [not present] and complaining that he looks too old in it. 8vo, "Headquarters Sixth Army Corps" stationery. "Camp Brandy Station / April 4th 1864" George B. McClellan. ALS, "GeoBMcClellan," closing "[w]ith the hope that the results of the Metropolitan Fair may be commensurate with the wants of our Soldiers, and with the greatness of the City." 4to, written on album page. 18 February 1864 Ambrose Powell Hill. Autograph Manuscript, unsigned, fair copy of a poem by an unknown author: "Graduating Song." 1 1/2 pages, small 4to, written on the recto and verso of a single sheet. "West Point June 15th 1852" Ambrose E. Burnside. ALS, "A.E. Burnside": "I am quite sure you will agree with me that much has been done during the present great struggle that is absolutely wrong, because it, at the time, seemed . . . wise . . .--I have discerned in all your actions and opinions during this war an enthusiastic, and honest support of our cause . . . ." 4to, written on album page. Nd Robert Anderson. ALS: ". . . [I]n reply to your kind note requesting a line for your album, . . . [I write] with my best wishes for the success of the noble cause, in which the ladies of New York are now engaged . . . ." 8vo, lined paper. 1 March 1864 Joseph K.F. Mansfield. ALS, "Mansfield," to General Viele: "The telegraph line is down again. Can you not guard it to the half way house. . . ." 8vo, ruled paper. 27 June 1862 William Tecumseh Sherman. ALS, "W.T. Sherman": ". . . I subjoin my signature to be used for the beneficent purpose asked for and beg to add the assurances of the personal respect I feel for yourself and honored husband." 8vo, "Head-Quarters" stationery. "Nashville, Tenn., Apl 5 1864" Philip Henry Sheridan. ALS, "P.H. Sheridan": ". . . I sincerely thank you Madame for your sympathy & valuable services to our wounded soldiers during the long & painful struggle . . . ." 2 pages, 8vo. 21 August 1869 David Dixon Porter. ALS, "David D. Porter / Rear Admiral / Commanding Miss. Fleet": "Tho I cannot flatter myself that my autograph possesses any value, I send it . . . [to] help to fill the pages of an autograph book." 4to, ruled paper, "Flag Ship Black Hawk" stationery. 14 April 1864 Winfield Scott Hancock. Brief ALS, "Winf'd S. Hancock," sending his autograph. 8vo. 9 March 1864 Salmon P. Chase. ALS, "SPChase," to General Viele, asking him to expect a visit from Col. [William] Birney who is to recruit a "colored Brigade." 8vo, lined paper, "Treasury Department" stationery. 26 June 1863 Don Carlos Buell. ALS, "D.C. Buell": ". . . The labors of the Sanitary Commission are felt on the battlefield and in the hospital, and are daily cheering the hearts of our gallant soldiers with generous evidences of gratitude for their sacrifices . . . ." 1 1/2 pages, 4to, ruled paper, written on the recto and verso of a single sheet. 19 March 1864 Horatio G. Wright. ALS, "H.G. Wright," to General Viele, informing him that the countersign was leaked by a drunk solder and so has been changed to "New York." 8vo, ruled paper. "HdQrs 3d Brigade / Camp Walton Oct 15th 1861" Michael Corcoran. ALS, to General Viele, introducing James G. Smith. 8vo, ruled paper, "Corcoran's Irish Legion" stationery. 21 January 1863 Abner Doubleday. ANS, "A. Doubleday," lacking salutation: "Peace gained by victory, a United people and Freedom for all." Square 8vo, ruled paper. 10 April 1864 James H. Wilson. ALS, "J.H. Wilson," to General Viele, inquiring about joining his regiment as a colonel. 3 pages, written on a single folded sheet. 26 September 1862 William Starke Rosecrans. ALS, "W.S. Rosecreans": "I cannot think of refusing your request for an autograph for the album you are proposing for the Sanitary Fair. God bless the ladies of America . . . ." 8vo, ruled paper, "Head Quarters Department of the Missouri" stationery. "St. Louis Feb'y 15 1864" Egbert Ludovicus Viele. ANS: "Out of this struggle there will result a higher civilization, which will be worth to the future all that it has cost the present." 4to, written on album page. March 1864.

Americana--General:
Marquis de Lafayette. ALS, to Samuel Morse, in English, introducing Mr. [Piero] Maroncelli, an Italian writer and patriot recently released from an Austrian prison and seeking connections in New York. Square small 4to. With detached address panel. 21 August 1833 William J. Worth. ALS, "W.J. Worth," to his son: ". . . I am digesting as best I may impatience at the . . . town of Tacubaya in the midst of my splendid division of the old guard. Never was there a body of men in higher order or more deserving of their country. . . . A soldier's blood, such as flows in your veins my child can appreciate these sentiments. . . ." 2 pages, 4to, written on the recto and verso of a single sheet. [12 May 1848] John C. Frémont. ALS, "J.C. Frémont": ". . . Today, my quill . . . refuses anything graceful or light as is befitting . . . to the noble objects of our Metropolitan Fair. I therefore comply . . . in a letter . . . and all my cordial wishes for a brilliant success to the generous efforts which . . . encourage all who are engaged in defence of the country . . . ." 4to, written on album page. 8 February 1864 Alexander Hamilton. LS, to Jabez Bowen, instructing him to pay the pension of the invalids in his state. 4to. 4 August 1791 James Monroe. ALS, to Humphrey Peake, regretting that he could not nominate Mr. Neale to a consulate in the South as he intended. 4to, with integral address leaf. 10 March 1825 Henry Clay. ALS, "H.Clay," to Anne Charlotte Lynch Botta, urging her not to replace the medal [a gift presented to Clay but stolen from her carriage]. Small 4to. 22 March 1852 Aaron Burr. Brief ALS, "A. Burr," to John Jacob Astor: "After perusing the enclosed, be pleased to seal & hand it to Mr. Harper. . . ." Square 8vo. With detached address leaf. 3 December 1803 Daniel Webster. ALS, "Dan'l Webster," to R.M. Blatchford: "A cold & raw morning; . . . walked round the Capitol Square, touched the toes of Washington's Statue--found he had cold feet, & came back . . . in time to read the newspapers before breakfast. . . ." 2 pages, 4to, written on the recto and verso of a single sheet. 1 February 1849 Richard Mentor Johnson. ALS, "Rh:M:Johnson," as Vice President, to A.H. Davis: ". . . [I]f you could send on 6 or 7000 $ only under that contract I could purchase a lot of Negroes on time. . . ." Tall 4to. 10 November 1838 others.

The New York Metropolitan Fair--opened on March 28, 1864, and held through April--was organized by the United States Sanitary Commission in order to further its cause: to provide relief to sick and wounded Union soldiers as well as Confederate prisoners of war. The Commission collected donations of food, supplies, and cash, as well as paintings, statuary, furniture, autographs, and other collectibles, some to be sold and others on temporary loan to be displayed in the Fair's public exhibition. Among the items that were sold at the Fair was a manuscript copy of the Gettysburg Address contributed by President Lincoln himself (the Edward Everett copy at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, IL), and the present album, won by William Astor with his bid of $20,000 and immediately gifted to Mrs. Viele by the generous winning bidder.
Teresa Griffin (1831-1902) and E.L. Viele were married in 1850 and divorced in 1872; Mrs. Viele served on the Fair's special committees, including Arms and Trophies, Curiosity Shop, and Special Literary Contributions.
Provenance: Viele family and by descent to the present owner.
with--[Emily Viele Strother]. Teresa: A Memory, bound typescript of biography on her mother, Teresa Griffin, unsigned but inscribed in 1950 to her daughter, Elise, on the front free endpaper.