Group of Assorted Ephemera, 1779-1940s. Includes: 1825 Diploma on vellum, University of Pennsylvania, signed by Frederick Beasley, R.M. Patterson and others; 1 Author and historian Henry Lee of Virginia 1827 ALS, 4 pp, large folio, to Lt. Col. Cockburn sending a large collection of revolutionary papers and letters with comments on each of the great names; 1 Magic Show Broadside for the Adelphi Theater, London, 1853; 2 CDVs picturing carnival performers "General Mite: The Smallest Man in the World" and an unidentified female entertainer of similarly small stature; the July 5, 1847 edition of the Nashville Orthopolitan newspaper, endorsing Zachary Taylor for president; 1 Author (not the politician) Winston Churchill undated ALS referencing Rattle and Snap plantation in Columbia, TN; 1 Clipped signature of Missouri senator Thomas Hart Benton; 1 Artist William Merritt Chase brief signed handwritten note proposing John Twachtmann for membership in the American Watercolor Society (plus 2 other signatures, illegible); plus 1 land indenture referencing land in Franklin County, Alabama,1838; legal documents from Hempstead County, Arkansas Territory, 1822 and 1823, and Jackson County, Alabama 1821; Correspondence from John Williamson, Mexico, 1850; C.E. Beall, Texas, 1859; Paul McDermott, Pittsburgh, 1796; Dorothy Kelly, Marlborough, 1865; and 1 letter, signature illegible, to Mr. John Bacon, Edgefield, SC; plus 1 sheet handwritten undated but early instructions on how to fire a rifle; eight (8) Nashville and Northwestern Railroad Tax Receipts for 1872 (on 2 sheets); two (2) Prohibition era prescriptions for Whiskey; 1 printed poem "Avery Meriwether"; 1 small silk portrait of James K Polk with facsimile signature printed by Mogul's Cigarettes; 1 "America's Roll of Honor" blank certificate printed by Metropolitan Life of Jackson, TN circa 1930s-40s; 5 European 19th century receipts, and 2 London Newspapers: The Public Advertiser, dated August 18, 1779 and July 24, 1780 (with Thomas Paine article on the Revolutionary War, predicting "The Carolinas will be the seat of war this summer").

PROVENANCE: Estate of Gertude S. Caldwell, Nashville.

Diploma is folded and some signatures faded. Overall fading and a 3" area of loss to Lee letter. Other items generally good condition with light toning, fading, scattered stains and small losses, most items encapsulated or housed in protective plastic sheeting. London newspapers in very fragile condition.