This is the October 8, 1853 issue of GLEASON'S PICTORIAL DRAWING-ROOM COMPANION newspaper, which in later years went by the name of Ballou's pictorial.  It is much like the more popular newspapers of the time, Harper's Weekly, and Frank Leslie.  All of these newspapers were highly illustrated with wood engravings. It is in very good condition, the pages are clean and flat. As you can see from the list of articles below it gives a good insight into the issues and life of that time, along with some very nice literary articles and poems. Additional pictures are available upon request. Please include your e-mail address.                                                   

ARTICLES:

LA PIERRE HOUSE - Our Philadelphia artist, Mr. Devereux, has this week furnished us a most excellent drawing of this new and beautiful first-class hotel, on Broad Street, Philadelphia.  The front of this six story building is richly ornate, and adorned with a large eagle at the top, over the front entrance. (See picture)

LIONEL AINSWORTH – OR - THE YOUNG PARTISAN’S DOOM - A TALE OF THE REVOLUTION - by Mrs. Caroline Orne

VALLEY OF THE DANUBE - One of the finest and most interesting valleys of Swabia is, doubtless, that watered by the Danube, at its source, whose course, formed by the two torrents of the Breg and Briegach, united at the spring of Donaueschingen, is engulfed beyond Tuttligen, between the rocks of Beuron and Wrenwaag.

            VALLEY OF THE DANUBE ILLUSTRATIONS:

        COSTUMES OF THE VALLEY OF THE DANUBE

        THE CONVENT OF BEURON

        PIERCED ROCK ROAD FROM BEURON TO WERENWAAG

        WERENWAAG, ON THE DANUBE

        WILDENSTEIN AND WERENWAAG, ON THE DANUBE

        ENTRANCE TO THE CASTLE OF BRUNNEN

        THE CASTLE OF KALLENBURG

SILENT RIVER – A poem by Davies Bradway

VERY POOR – A story by T. S. Arthur

PARSON SURELY’S EXPERIMENT - A SKETCH FOR WEATHER GRUMBLERS - A Story by Austin C. Burdick

BAILEY & CO.’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE PALACE – An engraving of the contribution to the Crystal Palace exhibition, New York.  Bailey & Co. was one of the most extensive silver ware manufacturers in the United States.  The style and beauty of their products speak for themselves.  (See picture)

HERRING’S PATENT FIREPROOF SAFE - Silas C. Herring, of No. 135 Water Street, New York, was placed in the Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations the largest and most beautiful assortment of fire and burglar proof safes ever exhibited in this country.  An engraving of their fireproof safe is presented along with a descriptive article.

SPECIMENS OF HAIR WORK – Linherr & Co. became famous for constructing jewelry, and other products with the use of human hair.  Shown, with the article, are articles of jewelry, a bracelet, and a tea set.

STATUE OF COLUMBUS – A marble sculpture of Christopher Columbus was placed in the Italian section, depicting Christopher before the council of Salamanca trying to convince the prejudiced monks of the feasibility of his plans to reach the Indies by sailing west.

MY GRANDFATHER - A REVOLUTIONARY MEMORIAL - A poem by Charles Wheler

THE MILK-MAID OF MARATHON - by Dr. Jerome V.C. Smith - Just before the Revolution broke out which resulted in the glorious emancipation of Greece from the brutal despotism of Turkey, the people of Athens were ground to the earth by their political oppressors; but more particularly so by the pashas, who, as governors of the ancient divisions of the country, set no bounds to their exactions.

SUMMER FLOWERS – A poem by Anna Lowry

BOSTON PULPIT - MAVERICK CHURCH – REV. RUFUS W. CLARK, PASTOR - by Rev. Luther Farnham – A history of the church and biographical article of Rev. Clark are presented with engravings of the church and a portrait of Rev. Clark.

MY FATHER – A poem by Caroline Hayden

THE HEAVY CROSS - by Anne Wilbur - Robert Hope and Samuel Hullins had lived neighbors for more than twelve years; and it is probable they would always have been on good terms, had not Samuel, who had served under Admiral Nelson, gained at Trafalgar a small pension, which he had paid for by the loss of his leg.

THE SHADOW – A poem by Phoebe Carey

TORONTO BOAT-CLUB – A nautical engraving of boats coming into the Queen’s Wharf in the harbor is presented.  The boat club had regular regattas with prizes of considerable value in silver cups. (See picture)

MARINE HOSPITAL, CHELSEA, MASSACHUSETTS - This establishment, is situated on lofty ground in the neighboring suburbs of Chelsea, overlooks the bay, and makes a fine appearance from the harbor.  An engraving of the hospital and grounds is presented. (See picture)