American Clergy. Vol. 1 [cover title]

N.p., 1880. Photograph album containing 17 mounted and two loose albumen prints of clergymen. 14 are captioned images of various American Episcopal State Bishops, two are of lesser divines, two are unidentified, and one, Henry Forrester, appears in non-clerical dress in a photo bearing the stamp of a Las Vegas photographer. 1 vols. The photographs measure 5-1/2 x 4 inches, and are mounted on pages 9-3/4 x 7-1/2 inches. Bound in 3/4 green pebble-grain morocco, a.e.g., title stamped in gilt on upper cover, some wear to extremities and occasional foxing to the mounting pages; the photographs are generally fine. Photograph album containing 17 mounted and two loose albumen prints of clergymen. 14 are captioned images of various American Episcopal State Bishops, two are of lesser divines, two are unidentified, and one, Henry Forrester, appears in non-clerical dress in a photo bearing the stamp of a Las Vegas photographer. 1 vols. The photographs measure 5-1/2 x 4 inches, and are mounted on pages 9-3/4 x 7-1/2 inches. Original Photographs of 19th Century American Clergymen. Each of the mounted photographs is enclosed with a decorative ink border, and hand-lettered caption showing the individual's name and office. Among these are: Benjamin B. Smith, Bishop of Kentucky, 1832--; John Williams, Bishop of Connecticut, 1851--; Horatio Potter, Bishop of New York, 1854--; William H. Odenheimer, Bishop of New Jersey, 1859-1879; Alfred Lee, Bishop of Delaware, 1841--; William B. Stevens, Bishop of Pennsylvania, 1862--; Joseph C. Talbot, Bishop of Indiana, 1860--; Daniel S. Tuttle, Bishop of Utah, 1867--; Benjamin H. Paddock, Bishop of Massachusetts, 1873--; William H. Hare, Bishop of Niobrara [Southern Dakotas], 1873--; and others. Most are shown in full-length images, and all are in clerical garb.

The album itself bears a London stationer's label on the rear pastedown, and is less than half full, despite the "Vol. 1" on the cover. It would be interesting to know the genesis of this effort, which was obviously undertaken with much thought and care. (Inventory #: 217162)