THE SHAKERS
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DeWolfe & Wood Rare Books
P.O. Box 425
Alfred, ME 04002
We are open most days from 7:00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. If you are coming to visit us, we suggest calling first to make sure we will be here.
Artifacts
A1. Two Shaker pen wipe dolls. Good condition with some wear. $225.00.
A2. Norwood's Veratrum Viride. Medical Department, The United Society of Shakers, Mount Lebanon, New York. Embossed and labeled. The label shows light wear and soiling and is a bit faded. 5 1/2" high. Veratrum Viride was likely the Shaker medicine produced at Mount Lebanon and the Shaker were still producing it into the 1930's. By then product labelling laws had enacted and the Shakers were forced to print the word poison on the face of the label. SOLD.
A3. Mt. Lebanon Candy Box. Sugared Nuts. (15 Cts. per box) Prepared by the Shakers. Circa 1880's. 3" x 2 1/2" x 1 3/4". $300.00.
A4. Canterbury poplar box, circa 1930. 4 1/2"x 4 1/2" x 2 1/4". Good condition with the kid trim and ribbons lightly soiled. $200.00.
A5. 3 Shaker garment hangers. Probably New Lebanon, circa 1850. 17 1/2". The bent example has an accession number from a Shaker museum indicating they obtained it in 1974. The top hanger in the picture has been sold. Your choice $200 each (top one sold).
EPHEMERA
Hancock, Massachusetts
1. Shaker Seeds. Cucumber, Early. D. G. [Daniel Goodrich, Jr.], West Pittsfield, Mass., c. 1860. 3 7/8 x 3 1/4" $150
Harvard, Massachusetts
2. [Uncut Strip of Labels]. Double Distilled Peach Water/Double Distilled Rose Water/Pure American Cayenne. S. T. Atherton, Harvard, Mass., c. 1870. 9 3/4 x 4 7/8" $800.00
3. Peach Water. W. H. Sparrow, Harvard, Mass., c. 1860. 4 3/8 x 3 1/4". $200.00
4. Pulverized Summer Savory: For Seasoning Poultry, Meats, &c. Bogle & Lyles, Agents for the Society of Shakers. [Harvard, Mass.], ca. 1900. 7 1/2 x 2 1/8". $150.00.
Canterbury, New Hampshire
5. Lily root, white. Nymphea odorata. Shaker Village, N.H. $30.00.
6. Lily yellow flour. Nuphae advena. Shaker Village, N.H. $30.00.
7. Sarsaparilla root. Aralia nudicaulis. Shaker Village, N.H. $30.00.
8. Syrup Lemon. [Canterbury, N.H.] 3 1/4 x 3/4" $25
9. Valerian, Eng. Root Pulverised. Shaker Village, N.H. $30.00.
10. Shaker Witch-Hazel. [Canterbury, N.H.] 3 3/4 x 2". $45.00.
11. Shaker Witch-Hazel. [Canterbury, N.H.] 3 1/4 x 1 3/4". $45.00.
12. Shipping Label, Canterbury, N.H., c. 1920. 5 x 3" $30.00.
13. Shipping Label, Canterbury, N.H., Circa 1910. 5 1/4 x 3 1/2". $30.00.
14. Shipping Label, Canterbury, N.H., circa 1910. 5 x 2 3/4". $20.00.
New Lebanon/Mount Lebanon, New York
15. Peach Water. D.M. Prepared in the United Society of Shakers, New Lebanon, N.Y. 2 7/8”x 1 ¾”. 2 copies on salmon and olive colored paper. Ex-Edward and Faith Andrews collection, c. 1850. $60.00 for the pair.
16. Rose Water. D.M. Prepared in the United Society of Shakers, New Lebanon, N.Y. 3”x 1 7/8”. Printed on yellow paper. Ex-Edward and Faith Andrews, c. 1850. SOLD.
17. Shakers' Apple Sauce. Manufactured by Shakers, Mount Lebanon, circa 1890. Lightly dam stained. 10 x 4 5/8" $250
18. Shakers' Apple Sauce. N. F. [North Family], Mount Lebanon. 6 1/4 x 4 7/8" $175
19. [Seed Packet]. Beet. White French Sugar. From the Shakers Gardens, New-Lebanon, N.Y. D. M. [David Meacham]. 8 1/4 x 5 1/2" $75
20. 5 x 3 1/4" $150.00.
21. 3 1/8 x 3" $150.00.
22. 2 7/8 1 3/4". $30.00
23. $30.00.
24. 2" x 3/4"
$30.00.
25. 3" x 3"
$150.00.
26. 2 3/4" x 3"
$40.00.
27. $30.00.
28. $30.00.
29. 5 x 2" SOLD
30. $40.00
31. $40.00.
32. 5 3/4 x 3" $25
33. 6 3/4 x 6" $200.
35. 8 1/4 x 5 3/4" $50
Watervliet, New York
37. 12 x 4 1/4"
$200.00.
38. 13 1/2" x 4 1/2"
$300.00.
39. $25.00.
40. $25.00.
41. $25.00.
42. $25.00.
Herb wrapper, circa 1850. 5 3/4 x 4 1/2"
43. $200.00.
45. 2 x 1" (approx.)
$25.00.
46. 2 x 1" (approx.)
$25.00.
47. 2 x 1" (approx.)
$25.00.
48. 2 x 1" (approx.)
$25.00.
49. 2 x 1" (approx.)
$25.00.
50. 2 x 1" (approx.)
$25.00.
51. 4 1/2 x 5 3/4"
Herb wrapper, circa 1850. $150.00.
52. 4 1/2 x 5 3/4"
Herb wrapper Circa 1850
$150.00.
54. 2 x 1" (approx.)
$25.00.
57. 2 x 1" (approx.)
$25.00.
58. 2 x 1" (approx.)
$25.00.
59. 2 x 1" (approx.)
$25.00.
61. 2 x 1" (approx.)
$25.00.
62. 2 x 1" (approx.)
$25.00.
63. 2 x 1" (approx.)
$25.00.
The Shakers
BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, CATALOGS, & BROADSIDES
64. Well, Seth Y. A brief illustration of the principles of war and peace, showing the ruinous policy of the former, and the superior efficacy of the latter, for national protection and defense: clearly manifested by their practical operations and opposite effects upon nations, kingdoms and people. Albany: Packard and Van Benthuysen, 1831. 112 pp. Good in stunning bright yellow boards. Boards rubbed and interion minor foxing to the endpapers. Credited to Ladd by Williamson (Bibliog. of Maine) and by Sabin (Bibl. amer.) and others. However, J.P. McLean (Bibliog. of Shaker literature, 1905, no. 78) on the authority of A.G. Hollister attributed authorship to Seth Youngs Wells. $250.
65. [The “Dorothy” Shaker Cloak supplies a long-felt want for auto, carriage, street or ocean travel, or in pastel shades for evening wear]. [N.p., n.d.]. [4] pp., illus. 14.5 cm.
Title from first line of text. Picture of the registered trademark for “The Dorothy” and description on p. [1], pictures of a person wearing the cloak (showing front, side, and back views of the cloak), pp. [2]-[3], order blank on p. [4]. Richmond 161. $100.00.
Inscribed to Sister Laura Beale Who Was One of the Last Harvard Shakers
66. Mace, Aurelia. The Alethia: Spirit of Truth. Farmington: The Press of the Knowlton & McLeary Co., 1907. 146 pp. In good condition with light wear to the binding. Inscribed by Sister Ada Cummings (1862- 1926) of Sabbathday Lake to Sister Laura Beal (1866-1946) was one of the very last Harvard Shakers and moved to the North Family at Mt. Lebanon when the community closed. She became dissatisfied with life at Mt. Lebanon and left the Shakers in 1923 living the rest of her life in the town of Harvard. Not a rare title but with an excellent history. Richmond 883. $125.00.
71. LEONARD, WILLIAM. A Discourse on the Order and Propriety of Divine Inspiration and Revelation, Showing the Necessity Thereof, in All Ages, To Know the Will of God. Also, a Discourse on the Second Appearing of Christ, in and through the Order of the Female. And a Discourse on the Propriety and Necessity of a United Inheritance in All Things, in Order to Support a True Christian Community. Harvard [Mass.]: Published by the United Society, 1853. 88 pp. 18.5 cm.
Cover title: On Revelation and Divine Inheritance. Richmond 861. “Contents” precedes the title page in some of the copies in wrappers. Bound copies have cover title: On Revelation and United Inheritance. According to Calvin Green’s “Biographic Memoir,” pp. 636-37, the manuscript was sent to New Lebanon for “alterations and corrections,” which he made, and then the manuscript was arranged in three parts for publication. H. S. Nourse, History of Harvard, Massachusetts, 1732–1893 (Richmond no. 2524), p. 473, states that the Discourse was one of the few items printed at the Harvard Shaker community. SOLD
72. Products of Intelligence and Diligence. Shakers Church Family. Mount Lebanon, Col. Co., N.Y. [Mt. Lebanon, N.Y.: Shakers, 1908]. Cover title. 16 pp., chiefly illus. 18 cm.
Priced catalog of Shaker-made articles including hoods, cloaks, bags, dolls, boxes, etc. “Miscellaneous articles price list”: p. 15-16. The cover is modified Art Nouveau designed by Peter Neagoe, a Romanian living in the North Family at Mt. Lebanon. Promotional silk bookmark illustrated on recto of back cover. Booklet is stapled with cover pasted over the staples. (Richmond no. 343) $150
73. [EVANS, JESSIE]. The Story of Shakerism. By One Who Knows. East Canterbury, N.H.: Shakers, 1941 (Concord, N.H.: Evans Printing Co.). Cover title. 15, [1] pp., illus. 18.5 cm.
A later printing, apparently the last, of this pamphlet first issues in 1920. Illustrated by two photographs: “Main Office Building Built in 1831” and “Shaker Church Built in 1792.” $75.00.
74. [BROWNSON, HANNAH]. Table Monitor. Shaker Village, [ca. 1900?] 1 sheet ([1] p.) with text in 2 columns. Printed on card stock.
Poem of eight unnumbered stanzas. It is generally attributed to Hannah Brownson of the Canterbury, N.H., community. Below the title: “Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.—Christ.” At end of text: “Shaker Home, 1830,” with “Visitor’s [sic] Dining Room, Shaker Village” printed in a break in the double-rule (thick-thin) border at foot. A manuscript note on the copy at Western Reserve Historical Society (Cleveland, O.), states that this was “Republished at Mt. Lebanon, 1903.” The Table Monitor was an outgrowth of a manuscript set of rudimentary rules for behavior and manners at table, see E. D. Andrews, People Called Shakers (no. 1767), pp. 182-85. The poem was presented to guests in an effort to prevent wasteful habits. “On being seated at the table, a printed sheet was handed to the guest which at first might be mistaken for a bill of fare, but inspection proved to be an injunction to take upon the plate only what was to be eaten.” “From this comes the expression, ‘To Shaker your plate,’ full of homely and pertinent truth,” C. E. Robinson, A Concise History of the United Society (no. 1249), p. 117. See also no. 1357. Table Monitors are often printed on heavy stock, sometimes glazed, and sometimes with two holes punched at the top. Unless otherwise noted, all versions of Table Monitor have the quote from Christ following the title as given above. (Richmond no. 119) $125.00.
75. [BROWNSON, HANNAH]. Table Monitor. Shaker Village, [ca. 1900?] 1 sheet ([1] p.) with text in 2 columns. Printed on paper.
Poem of eight unnumbered stanzas. It is generally attributed to Hannah Brownson of the Canterbury, N.H., community. Below the title: “Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.—Christ.” At end of text: “Shaker Home, 1830,” with “Visitor’s [sic] Dining Room, Shaker Village” printed in a break in the double-rule (thick-thin) border at foot. A manuscript note on the copy at Western Reserve Historical Society (Cleveland, O.), states that this was “Republished at Mt. Lebanon, 1903.” The Table Monitor was an outgrowth of a manuscript set of rudimentary rules for behavior and manners at table, see E. D. Andrews, People Called Shakers (no. 1767), pp. 182-85. The poem was presented to guests in an effort to prevent wasteful habits. “On being seated at the table, a printed sheet was handed to the guest which at first might be mistaken for a bill of fare, but inspection proved to be an injunction to take upon the plate only what was to be eaten.” “From this comes the expression, ‘To Shaker your plate,’ full of homely and pertinent truth,” C. E. Robinson, A Concise History of the United Society (no. 1249), p. 117. See also no. 1357. Table Monitors are often printed on heavy stock, sometimes glazed, and sometimes with two holes punched at the top. Unless otherwise noted, all versions of Table Monitor have the quote from Christ following the title as given above. (Richmond no. 119). $50.00.
76. ESTABROOK, FIDELLA. Consecration Prayer for the Royal, True, Blues. [Pittsfield, Mass.?, 1900?]. 1 sheet ([1] p.). 19 x 7.5 cm.
Poem of seven stanzas of four lines each. The Royal, True, Blues were a group of young Shaker sisters of the Hancock, Mass., community. Sabbathday Lake Shaker Library has two copies of the publication on silk ribbon (21 x 6 cm.). For other items intended for distribution by The Royal, True, Blues. (Richmond no. 566). $125.00.
78. SERETTE, DAVID W. Shaker Lunch. Portland, Me.: Yellow Kid Press, 1972. Cover title. 4 pp. 14 cm.
A scarce publication by this eccentric printer and member of the Sabbathday Lake, Maine, community. “100 copies printed at the Yellow Kid Press.”—Back cover. Issued in green envelope, present here. This copy signed by David Serette and given to Francis O'Brien June 4, 1972. O'Brien was the Dean of Maine booksellers and died in 1994. $75.00
The Shakers
STEREOVIEWS, PHOTOGRAPHS & POSTCARDS
Enfield, Connecticut
80. Real photo postcard of Shaker Sisters from the North Family of Enfield, Connecticut, with identification on the reverse. 5 1/2 x 3 1/2". $125.
82. Shaker Sisters, Shaker Station, Conn. Published by the Dexter Photo Co., in Hartford, Conn. Unused. Pictures Eldress Mirriam Offord on the right. $125.
Canterbury, New Hampshire
83. Stereoview. Shaker Village, Canterbury, New Hampshire. Number 1: Church Family, from the south. W.G.C. Kimball, Photographer, Concord, N.H. 7 x 3 1/2" $100
86. Stereoview. Shaker Village, Canterbury, New Hampshire. Number 11: Great Barn, 240 ft. long 45 wide. H.A. Kimball, Photographer, Concord, N.H. 7 x 3 1/2" $100
87. Stereoview. Shaker Village, Canterbury, New Hampshire. Number 8. Island and Pond. H.A. Kimball, Photographer, Concord, N.H. 7 x 3 1/2" $100
Mount Lebanon, New York