Lot of approx. 375 items, featuring over 275 photographs of several generations of the Miller Family, plus related documents, manuscripts, books, and more.
The collection of family photographs is quite extensive, comprised of a wide array of images dating from the mid-19th century through the early 20th century. Highlights include: 2 quarter plate daguerreotypes believed to be of Thomas Miller and his wife and daughter; 2 chalk portraits of Thomas Miller and his wife, each approx. 14 x 17 in.; over 200 CDVs and cabinet cards of the family, most housed in their original albums, many credited to Columbus, OH photographers of the period, as well as some Civil War-related CDVs of noted generals and a memorial view of Lincoln; 10+ large format albumen photographs ranging in size from 6 x 8 in. to 16 x 20 in. (some housed in original frames), including portraits of the family and family gatherings, an outdoor shot of Henry and Almeda Miller’s home on Broad Street in Columbus, and at least 2 views of the Miller farm, one showing several farmers posed with their horse-drawn wagon and machinery; 10+ silver gelatin photographs showing the family and their property.
Numerous items associated with Henry Miller and his businesses are offered in the collection, and include photographs; land transfer deeds from the 1850s identified to Miller and Theodore Comstock, who bought a great deal of land from the government. Signatures of Columbus Mayor English and Governor William Dennison are on many of the documents; and a small Civil War-period receipt book with penciled entries relative to Miller’s business involving making uniforms for the Union army. The book also includes a receipt for a substitute soldier that Miller hired in 1862.
James G. Blaine artifacts include Volumes I and II of Blaine’s book,
Twenty Years of Congress, each inscribed on FFEP by Blaine to Henry Miller and dated March 1886; a sympathy letter from Blaine at Lafayette Square, Washington to the Millers, regarding the death of their daughter, Mary Ellen; the calling cards of Blaine and his wife; an invitation to the wedding of his son Emmons Blaine to Cyrus McCormick's daughter Anita; and a campaign ribbon from his failed bid for the presidency.
Other highlighted items from notable figures include: 2 appointments for positions at the Ohio Penitentiary signed by Salmon P Chase as governor of Ohio, dated 1856 and 1858; telegram from William McKinley, October 11, 1898; a telegram sent by Ellen Sherman, wife of W.T. Sherman, to Thomas Miller and his wife conveying how sorry she was for the loss of their daughter, Mary Ellen; sympathy letter from Thomas Ewing Jr. to the Millers on the death of their daughter in 1874; photograph of Senator Harding with two of famous six Miller sisters in 1916; 2 photographs, a tintype and large format albumen view, showing Ohio Governor Asa Bushnell posed with some of James T. Miller’s daughters; a small, 3 x 4 in. photograph of a female sharpshooter that may be Annie Oakley, although the identification cannot be confirmed; and so much more.
A fabulous archive related to an important family with incredibly strong ties to Central Ohio, worthy of additional research!
Condition
Most of the items are in good condition with light toning and some soiling. Some photographs have some damage to the mounts.