Featured here is an autograph book bound in black leather with both embossed and debossed details. The front cover reads “Autographs” and is decorated with a feather pen and ink as well as trailing ivy. The spine is gilted as the front cover decoration is.

The contents of this autograph book contain many autographs. They include:

John S. Worden, US Navy “Monitor” June 23^rd 1862

Ed P. Eastman Pokeepsie, NY

Fred Davis , Poughkeepsie, NY, June 15^th 1862

H.G. Eastman, June 23^rd 1862

E.W. Mason July 30, 1862

O.R. Wells, Pokeepsie, N.Y.

Wm. H. Close, Groton, NY, August 20^th 1862

C.A. Dubois, Pokeepsie, NY, August 23^rd 1862

W.A. Adams, Waterbury, Conn., August 26^th 1862, E.C.C. Amen.

These are just a few of the earliest autographs. Most autographs in the book include the signer’s name, location, and the date it was signed. Some include small quips such as “Yours for Ninety Days” or “Amen,” while many others include the acronym E.C.C. and/or W.C.B.

The owner of this book wrote his name inside the front cover. His name was Oscar F. Lane of Roseboom, New York. Lane never served in the Civil War. He was the only son of John and Amelia Lane born in 1843. According to several online sources, Lane attended Eastman’s Business College in Poughkeepsie, NY. While no rosters of students were readily available, there was some basic information regarding Eastman’s Business College (a.k.a. Eastman’s Commercial College).

Two of the earliest autographs in the book are from Harvey Gridley Eastman & Edward P. Eastman. They were brothers, with 13 years between them. The elder brother, Harvey, was the founder of Eastman’s Business College, which was founded in 1859. E.B.C. was a business school which offered practical experience to students and gave them the opportunity to work in mock business situations rather than to only gain theoretical knowledge. The college was quite successful in its heyday from the late Victorian period into the turn of the century. However, the school closed its doors in 1931.

There is no clear connection between the college and the famed John Worden – it is likely happenstance that the autograph is included with those of Lane’s fellow students. The first autograph of the book is written by Worden on June 23^rd 1862, yet the earliest is written a page or two later, by Fred Davis on June 15^th 1862. Autographs continue through the end of the Civil War, when it’s clear the owner of the book has experienced a change in his life (possibly no longer attending E.C.C.) and more women begin signing their names. The last autograph is written by Ellen French of Cummington, Massachusetts on March 13^th 1866 in Westford, N.Y.

This autograph book contains approximately 100 pages. Several pages are blank but the majority have signatures on them – one per page. Signatures get more sparse throughout the pages as time wears on into 1865 and 1866. This book is an interesting study in the owner’s life to see where he was in 1862 versus 1866 when we see different people signing his book.

The condition of the book is good. There is wear to the front and back cover, mostly to the edges of the spine as well as to the corners. There are a few minor spots of water damage throughout but nothing major. The binding is intact and no pages are loose or missing.

Oscar Lane went on to own a store specializing in window dressings. He lost his business in a fire in 1875. It was then he decided to change professions and became an attorney. Lane went on to serve in the state legislature and on the board of education and was otherwise quite socially active. He married Amelia Wright and they had four children. He died in 1926; he is buried in Schenevus Cemetery in Schenevus, New York.  [cla][ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!