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Larus & Brother Advertisements

In 1877 a partnership between Charles D. Larus and Herbert C. Larus formed the Larus & Brother Company. This small tobacco company, based in Richmond, Virginia, received national recognition with Edgeworth pipe tobacco, which then became the international hallmark of the company. Learn more

Indian Tribes of North America

In the society's rare book collection, a remarkable compilation of images is found in History of the Indian Tribes of North America, by Thomas McKenney and James Hall. The volumes contain the historical background of various tribes, biographical sketches of Indian leaders, and lithographs of 120 Native Americans. Learn more

Elizabeth Keckley

Born a slave in Dinwiddie County, Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley (1818–1907) purchased her freedom in 1855 and supported herself as a seamstress, first in St. Louis and then in Washington, D.C. Her skills brought her to the attention of Mary Todd Lincoln, who hired Keckley in 1861. Learn more

Fore-edge Painting

Rarely are books prized as objects of art; often the content of the text, or the plates accompanying the text, are regarded with higher intrinsic value than the construction of the book. Fore-edge paintings are unique embellishments to otherwise less significant, mass-produced bound books. Learn more

Duke Ellington at the Mosque

Late in his career, jazz great Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington composed three "Sacred Concerts," longer works made up of vocal and instrumental pieces stemming from a religious theme. During the 1968 series, Ellington performed in Richmond at the Mosque Auditorium (now, the Landmark Theater). Learn more

Political Sheet Music

Politicians have long appreciated the value of a campaign song during an election year. A popular tune can rally the crowd, convey the spirit of the candidate, or ridicule the opponent. With the rise of music publishing in the 19th century, many candidates realized that sheet music could be an effective form of advertising. Learn more

Diderot's Encyclopédie

Housed within the library collections of the VHS is a complete thirty-five volume set of Diderot's Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers. The Encyclopédie consists of 17 volumes plus 4 supplemental volumes of letterpress (text), 12 volumes of plates, and 2 volumes of tables. Learn more

Children's Manuscripts

Children's diaries, scrapbooks, and autograph books now compel historians' attention as they study the world of young people in decades past. Scholars can gain insights into family dynamics, the impact of large political events on children, and how children internalized the moral issues of the day. Learn more

The Henkel Press

In 1806, Ambrose and Solomon Henkel started one of the first German language presses in the South. The press began as an amateur operation in the home of their father, a prominent Lutheran minister. The first publications were crudely printed, but the brothers eventually became skilled printers. Learn more

Broadsides

Broadsides, or broadsheets, are items printed on one side of a sheet of paper and generally posted or distributed as advertisements or bulletins. An effective means of connecting people and conveying information, often broadsides reported newsworthy events or provided additional information or instructions. Learn more

Yearbooks

High school and college yearbooks offer more insights into a time and place than mere lists of students and snapshots. Social historians study youth culture through the clothes they wore, the clubs they formed, and the themes of the dances they attended. View select images from yearbooks in the VHS's collections. Learn more

The Virginia Company of London

The plan to colonize Virginia began in 1606 when a group of merchants formed the Virginia Company of London. James I gave the company a charter to all the land between present-day North Carolina and New York, and the company attracted hundreds of small investors to finance the first expeditions to Virginia. Learn more

Confederate Imprints

Items published in the Confederate States during the Civil War are known as Confederate imprints. With the onset of war, southern publishers were in high demand. Enterprising publishers in such cities as Richmond capitalized on the growing market. Learn more

Freedmen's Schools

In the antebellum South, African Americans were generally prevented from receiving education. During the Civil War, African Americans and northern missionaries established schools in Union-occupied territories. After Appomattox, freedpeople flocked to newly founded schools. Learn more

Liberated Books

During the Civil War, looting by soldiers on both sides was a common practice. The hungry soldier usually confiscated food and livestock, but sometimes he carried off personal items, such as books. The VHS has a small collection of books "captured" by Union soldiers and carried off to "freedom." Learn more