Guide to the Stowe Collection, 1829-2011
Stowe Collection, George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine
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Harriet Elizabeth Beecher Stowe was born in Litchfield, Connecticut on June 14, 1811. She attended then taught at the Hartford Female Academy, a school founded by her sister Catherine. She later taught at the Western Female Institute in Ohio. Stowe published her first story in Western Monthly in 1834. She later contributed to Atlantic Monthly, the New York Independent, and the Christian Union.
Stowe wrote her most famous novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852), while living in Brunswick, Maine. First published as a serial in the National Era, the novel was an instant success that has never gone out of print. Other works by Stowe include The Pearl of Orr's Island (1862) and Poganuc People (1878). Harriet Beecher Stowe died on July 11, 1896, at her home in Hartford, Connecticut.
Calvin Ellis Stowe (Bowdoin 1824), educator and writer, was born April 26, 1802 in Natick, Massachusetts. Stowe attended school in Bradford, Massachusetts, and Gorham Academy in Gorham, Maine, before entering Bowdoin College. After graduating, Stowe worked at Bowdoin as Librarian. He left in 1825 to teach at Andover Theological Seminary, Dartmouth and, later, Lane Theological Seminary in Ohio, where he met and married Harriet Elizabeth Beecher in 1836.
Stowe spent the early 1850s at Bowdoin as Collins Professor of Natural and Revealed Religion. Stowe retired from teaching after spending twelve more years at Andover. On August 22, 1886, Calvin Stowe died at his home in Mandarin, Florida.
Material relating to Harriet Elizabeth Beecher Stowe includes correspondence; holograph notes; editorials; transcripts of selected letters; playbills; sheet music; trade cards; ephemera; inscribed album, images, and newsclippings. Material relating to Calvin Ellis Stowe includes correspondence (1824-73); biographical clippings, images, obituary, and ephemera.
Material relating to Calvin Ellis Stowe includes correspondence (1824-73); biographical clippings, images, obituary, and ephemera.
Series contains materials concerning Harriet Beecher Stowe and Uncle Tom's Cabin, including correspondence, signed holograph notes, clippings, playbills, posters, sheet music, trade cards, an album inscribed by HBS, and ephemera.
Correspondence; holograph notes
From the Abbott Memorial Collection (M1.8): 1874 Dec 2, HBS to [Edward] Abbott
From the Abbott Memorial Collection (M1.8): 1876 Sep 16, HBS to [Lyman] Abbott 1877 Apr 14, HBS to [Edward] Abbott
From the Abbott Memorial Collection (M1.8): 1878 Feb 27, HBS to [Lyman] Abbott
From the Abbott Memorial Collection (M1.8): 1879 Jan 15, HBS to Mrs. [Lyman] Abbott
From the Abbott Memorial Collection (M1.8): 1883 Jun 1, HBS to [Edward] Abbott
From the Abbott Memorial Collection (M1.8): n.y. Sep 21, HBS to [Edward?] Abbott
From the Abbott Memorial Collection, "The Whittier Tribute" (M1.11): [1877] Nov 19, HBS to [Edward] Abbott
From the Annie Lawrence Edmands Autograph Book (M54): n.d., fair copy of poem signed by HBS
From the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Papers (M112.1.1): n.y. Aug 4, HBS to HWL
From the Oliver Otis Howard Papers (M91.4): 1878 Nov 12, HBS to OOH
Transcripts of Selected Letters
Album, red velvet and ivory covered, inscribed by HBS, other pages blank, Aug. 4, 1890
1828-1885, letters, the bulk authored by HBS, in Yale University Library's collection. Not to be published or reproduced photographically without permission of Yale University Library. (1 reel, positive)
"Little Eva Song," printed on cloth
"O Rest of Rests," words by Harriet Beecher Stowe
"Songster of Ed. F. Davis' Grand Spectacular Production of Uncle Tom's Cabin"
"Still, Still With Thee," words by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Sheet Music: "Eva's Parting," words by Mary A. Collier, music by F. James, 1852
Sheet Music: "Little Eva; Uncle Tom's Guardian Angel," words by John G. Whittier, music by Manuel Emilio 1852
Sheet Music: "Uncle Tom's Religion," words and music by Geo. C. Howard,
Sheet Music: "Little Topsy's Song," composed by Henry Russell, words by Eliza Cook
Sheet Music: "Eva's Farewell," composed by Henry Russell, poetry by Eliza Cook
Sheet Music: "Eliza's Dream," composed by Edward J. Loder, poetry by Joseph Edwards Carpenter, sung by Miss Jolly
Sheet Music: "'I Am Going There' or the Death of Little Eva," written by John S. Adams
Sheet Music: "Topsy's Song," written by Charles Jefferys, composed by Stephen Clover
Sheet Music: "Still, Still With Thee," words by HBS, music by Henry Purmont Eames
"Little Eva to Her Papa," as sung by Little Cordelia Howard and "Little Eva in Heaven," as sung by J.B. Howe, National Theatre, N.Y.
Sheet Music: "Remem'bring," words and music by the Duncan Sisters in "Topsy and Eva"
Broadside: Stetson's broadside, "Wait for the Big Show"
Cabinet card: Gracie Washburn as Eva, Stetson's Uncle Tom Company
Cabinet card: Louise Rial (with autograph)
Playbills for "Harriet"
Playbills for Uncle Tom's Cabin productions
Program: Griswold's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" Songster
Trade card: Mr & Mrs. Jay Rial, Jay Rial Uncle Tom's Cabin Co., Gaiety Theatre
Trade card: Mr & Mrs. Jay Rial, Jay Rial Uncle Tom's Cabin Co., Robert's Opera House
Trade card: Mr & Mrs. Jay Rial, Jay Rial Uncle Tom's Cabin Co., Windsor Theatre, Boston, MA
Trade card: Mr & Mrs. Jay Rial, Jay Rial Uncle Tom's Cabin Co.
Trade card: L.H. Stockwell as Lawyer Marks & his trained donkey Jerry, Rial & Draper's Uncle Tom's Cabin, Gaiety Theatre
Trade card: L.H. Stockwell as Lawyer Marks & his trained donkey Jerry, Rial & Draper's Uncle Tom's Cabin
Trade card: L.H. Stockwell as Lawyer Marks & his trained donkey Jerry, Jay Rial's (formerly Rial & Draper's) Uncle Tom's Cabin
Trade card: Bloodhounds chasing Eliza, Jay Rial Uncle Tom's Cabin Co.
Trade card: Two dancing Topseys,C.H. Smith's Boston Double Uncle Tom's Cabin Co.
Taade card: Two Marks the Lawyers, C.H. Smith's Double Mammoth Uncle Tom's Cabin Co., Opera House, Manchester
Trade card: "Rescue of Eva by Uncle Tom," C.H. Smith's Double Mammoth Uncle Tom's Cabin
Trade card: "Life in the Sunny South," C.H. Smith's Double Mammoth Uncle Tom's Cabin, Franklin Opera House, Portsmouth
Trade card: "A Merry Drive," E.S. Sullivan's Black Diamond Combination
Trade card: "Beware the Bull," E.S. Sullivan's Black Diamond Combination
Trade card: "Evening," E.S. Sullivan's Black Diamond Combination
Trade card: Topsy, Anthony & Ellis' Ideal Uncle Tom's Cabin Co.
Trade card: Hoyt's German Cologne, Anthony & Ellis' Ideal Uncle Tom's Cabin Co.
Trade card: Bloodhounds chasing Eliza on river, Anthony & Ellis Original Ideal Uncle Tom's Cabin
Trade card: "Bruno & Fritz," Geo. E. Stevens' Original Uncle Tom's Cabin Comb'n
Trade card: Uncle Tom and Little Eva, Stetson's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" Company
Trade card: Topsy & Miss Ophelia, Decatur Opera House
Trade card: "The Callenders in 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'," Grand Opera House
Trade card: "Rock of Ages" (scenes involving Eva)
Trade card: "Marks & His Donkey," Fred R. Wren's Uncle Tom's Cabin
"In Onkel Toms Hütte," Echte Wagner Margarine, image 1
"Eine Heldentat," Echte Wagner Margarine, image 2
"Eine liebliche Fürbitterin," Echte Wagner Margarine, image 3
"St. Clares Tod," Echte Wagner Margarine, image 4
Topsy Tobacco, Wellman & Dwire Tobacco Co.
Uncle Tom's Cabin Smoking Tobacco, Wellman & Dwire (2 copies)
Uncle Tom Smoking Tobacco, Globe Tobacco Co.
Uncle Tom, Player's Cigarettes
Uncle Tom, Eva, and Topsy, Adams & Westlake Stove
Topsey and Eva, Coats' Black Thread
Puzzle Card, A. Shakspeare Boots & Shoes
"Baby's First Easter," picture card from Lion Coffee (ad for UTC on backside)
Shadow Card, Woolson Spice Co
Uncle Tom's Cabin, stereograph
"Onkel Tom's Hutte," 6 advertising trading cards (chromolithograph) issued by Liebig's Fleisch-Extract, ca. 1900
"Onkel Tom's Hutte," 6 advertising trading cards (chromolithograph) issued by Hauswaldt's Kaiser-Otto-Kaffee, ca. 1900
Clippings, National Era, "Letters from Maine," nos. 1 and 2, Aug. 5 & Sept. 9, 1852
"The Author of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'," The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, 1896
"Mrs. Stowe's 'Uncle Tom' at Home in Kentucky," The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, 1887
The Illustrated London News - "Uncle Tom's Cabin" at Olympic Theatre, 1852
The Illustrated London News - Actress Mary E. Webb reads "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 1956
"Uncle Tom's Cabin and Mrs. Stowe," Magazine of American History, 1890
"H.W. Beecher and H.B. Stowe," Harper's Weekly, 30 Oct, 1869
Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper - Account of HBS's failing health (p.139) and image titled "The Evening of a Fruitful Life - Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe and her Dream Children" (p.140)
"Il Zio Tom (rev. Giosia Henson)" - L'Illustrazione Popolare, 15 Apr, 1877
San Francisco Chronicle ad for UTC Musical Comedy Revue, 1923
Assorted ephemera
Clippings, 1871-1917
Clippings, 1918-1979
Clippings, 1980-
Commemorative stamps, 13 June 2007 [first day of issue]
Poster for the Stowe conference, "Harriet Beecher Stowe at 200: Home, Nation, and Place in the 21st Century," 2011 Jun 23-25
Program for conference "Harriet Beecher Stowe at 200: Home, Nation, and Place in the 21st Century," 2011 Jun 23-26
Stowe House Inn Menu, 1961
Series contains information concerning Calvin Ellis Stowe, including correspondence, clippings and ephemera.
Correspondence, 1829-1857
Clippings
Miscellaneous printed ephemera
Miscellaneous printed ephemera
Includes photographs of Harriet Beecher Stowe, Calvin Stowe, and members of the Beecher family as well as images of various Stowe residences in Maine, Florida, and Connecticut, and locales that relate to Stowe's fiction, Pearl of Orr's Island and Uncle Tom's Cabin. Image types include cabinet cards, cartes de visite, engravings, postcards, and stereographs.
C.E. Stowe, engraving by Buttre
C.E. Stowe, engraving by Wilcox (cut from a book)
C.E. Stowe, engraving by Buttre (cut from a book)
Harriet Beecher Stowe, engraved by A.H. Ritchie
Harriet Beecher Stowe, from painting by Chappel; Johnson, Wilson & Co. Publishers, New York
Harriet Beecher Stowe, photogravure from "Giants of the Republic" by Hamilton Wright Mabie, 1895
Harriet Beecher Stowe, engravings (3 portraits) and a print
Harriet Beecher Stowe sitting, E. & H.T. Anthony, carte de visite
Harriet Beecher Stowe standing behind chair, J.W. Black, carte de visite
Harriet Beecher Stowe standing behind chair, Silsbee, Case & Co., carte de visite
Harriet Beecher Stowe (left) and Henry Ward Beecher (right) with father Lyman Beecher (center), E. Anthony, carte de visite
Harriet Beecher Stowe and Henry Ward Beecher, carte de visite
Stowe family at home in Mandarin, Florida, 6 stereographs
Stowe House, Brunswick, Maine
Andover, MA: Phillips Inn, the Stowe House, and Harriet Beecher Stowe's grave
Andover, MA: Phillip's Inn and Stowe House (right), published by The Rotograph Co., New York City, NY
Andover, MA: Stowe House and insert of Harriet Beecher Stowe, published for W.A. Allen, Ph. G., Andover, Mass. (2 copies)
Andover, MA: Stowe House, published by Metropolitan News Co., Boston, Mass.
Andover, MA: Stowe House, published by W.A. Allen,
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House (where Uncle Tom's Cabin was written), published by the Hugh C. Leighton Co., Manufacturers, Portland, Maine
Brunswick, ME: Federal Street and Stowe House (front right), published by F.E. Merrill, Freeport, Maine
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House, published by The Robbins Bros Co., Boston, Mass.
Brunswick, ME: Whitmore House (Stowe House)
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House, published by Mason Bros., Boston Mass.
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House, published by H.J. Burrowes Company, Portland, Maine
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House, published by James F. Snow, Brunswick, Maine
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House, published by The Hugh C. Leighton Co., Manufacturers, Portland, Maine
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House, published by Wilson's Pharmacy, Brunswick, Maine
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House, published by American Art Postcard Co., Boston, Mass.
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House, published by Wilson's Pharmacy, Brunswick, Maine
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House, published by Tichnor Bros., Inc., Boston, Mass.
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House, published by Curteich-Chicago
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House, published by Otis N.E. Card, Bath, Maine
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House, published by Tichnor Quality Views
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House, published by Mary Baxter White
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House, published by Portland News Co., Portland, Maine
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House, published by Yankee Wholesale Co., Wiscasset, Maine
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House and Motor Inn, published by Harris/Owen Art-Color, Damariscotta, Maine
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House Inn, published by Owen Art-Color, Georgetown, Maine
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House and Motor Inn, published by G. Arnold Roberts, Portland, Maine
Brunswick, ME: Stowe House and Motor Inn, published by G. Arnold Roberts, Portland, Maine
Brunswick, ME: Dining room of the Stowe House Inn, published by R.D. Bull, Bath, Maine
Brunswick, ME: Bedroom with two beds at the Stowe House Inn, published by Owen Art-Color, Newscastle, Maine
Hartford, CT: Stowe House
Hartford, CT: Stowe House, published by G. Fox & Co. Pub., Hartford, Conn.
Hartford, CT: Stowe House, published by the Rotograph Co., New York City, NY (2 copies)
Hartford, CT: Stowe House, published by the Metropolitan News Co., Boston, Mass.
Hartford, CT: Stowe House, published by E.M. Sill, Hartford, Conn.
Hartford, CT: Stowe House, published by Morris Berman, New Haven, Conn.
Hartford, CT: Stowe House, published by Raphael Tuck & Sons
Hartford, CT: Stowe House, published by Trinity Stationery Co., Hartford, Conn.
Hartford, CT: Stowe House with insert of Harriet Beecher Stowe, published by H.P. Kopplemann, Pub. Agent
Hartford, CT: Stowe House, published by American Art Post Card Co., Boston Mass.
Hartford, CT: Stowe House, published by Louis H. Frohman, Bronxville, NY
Hartford, CT: Restored Stowe House kitchen, published by Herman F. Marshall, North Coventry, Conn.
Litchfield, CT: Beecher House (birthplace of Harriet Beecher Stowe and Henry Ward Beecher), published by Karl Brothers, Litchfield, Conn.
Litchfield, CT: Beecher House, published by Edward Wells, Dumont, New Jersey
Litchfield, CT: The Henry Ward Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe Memorial, published by Karl Brothers, Litchfield, Conn.
Litchfield, CT: Beecher House, published by Karl Brothers, Litchfield, Conn.
Litchfield, CT: The Henry Ward Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe Memorial, published by NATCO, Natural Color Cards Co., Ridgefield Park, New Jersey
Mandarin, FL: Stowe House
Mandarin, FL: Stowe House, published by United Art Publishing Co., New York City, NY
Mandarin, FL: Stowe House, published by The H. & W.B. Drew Co., Jacksonville, Florida
Mandarin, FL: Stowe House, published by The H. & W.B. Drew Co., Jacksonville, Florida
Mandarin, FL: Stowe House, published by Duval News Company, Jacksonville, Florida
Mandarin, FL: Stowe House, published by H. & W.B. Drew Co., Jacksonville, Florida
Mandarin, FL: "Beautiful St. Johns River, Florida" souvenir folder, published by The H. & W.B. Drew Co., Jacksonville, Florida
Natick, MA: Calvin Stowe House, published by American Art Postcard Co., Boston, Mass.
Pearl of Orr's Island: Kittredge House, published by the Hugh C. Leighton Co., Manufacturers, Portland, Maine
Pearl of Orr's Island: Home of Aunt Roxy and Reuey, published by the Hugh C. Leighton Co., Manufacturers, Portland, Maine
Pearl of Orr's Island: The Grotto, published for G.W. Morris, Portland, Maine
Pearl of Orr's Island: The Grotto, published by the H.C. Leighton Co., Portland, Maine
Pearl of Orr's Island: "A peep through the Spruces on the road to the Pearl House," published by the Hugh C. Leighton Co., Manufacturers, Portland, Maine
Pearl of Orr's Island: The Pearl House
Pearl of Orr's Island: Home of the Pearl of Orr's Island with insert of Harriet Beecher Stowe, published by G.W. Morris, Portland, Maine
Pearl of Orr's Island: Home of "Pearl of Orr's Island," published by the Hugh C. Leighton Co., Manufacturers, Portland, Maine
Pearl of Orr's Island: Shore with Pearl House in background, published by the Hugh C. Leighton Co., Manufacturers, Portland, Maine
Pearl of Orr's Island: Home of "Pearl of Orr's Island" with insert of Harriet Beecher Stowe, published by the Hugh C. Leighton Co., Manufacturers, Portland, Maine
Pearl of Orr's Island: Scene from rear of Pearl House, published by the Hugh C. Leighton Co., Manufacturers, Portland, Maine
Pearl of Orr's Island: Home of the Pearl with insert of Harriet Beecher Stowe
Pearl of Orr's Island: "Pearl of Orr's Island" House with insert of Harriet Beecher Stowe, published by C.T. American Art
Pearl of Orr's Island: House of the Pearl, published by Detroit Publishing Co.
Pearl of Orr's Island: House of the Pearl with insert of a young woman (HBS or protagonist of the book?), published by Detroit Publishing Co.
Pearl of Orr's Island: The Pearl House, published by Geo. S. Graves, West Harpswell, Maine
Pearl of Orr's Island:: The Pearl House, published by M.J. Prince, Orr's Island, Maine
Pearl of Orr's Island: Home of Pearl with insert of Harriet Beecher Stowe
Pearl of Orr's Island: Home of Pearl, published by David F. Drew, Portland, Maine
Pearl of Orr's Island: The Pearl House (aerial view)
Uncle Tom's Cabin: "Uncle Tom's Cabin," published by The Rotograph Co., New York City, NY
Uncle Tom's Cabin: "Uncle Tom," published by Detroit Publishing Co.
Uncle Tom's Cabin: "Uncle Tom's Cabin in Dixie Land"
Uncle Tom's Cabin: Uncle Tom and his cabin, published by W.M. Cline, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Uncle Tom's Cabin: Josiah Henson (the real Uncle Tom), published by J.W. Bald, Midland, Canada
Uncle Tom's Cabin: The grave of Josiah Henson (the real Uncle Tom), published by J.W. Bald, Midland, Canada
Uncle Tom's Cabin: "The Old Well," published by J.W. Bald, Midland, Canada
Uncle Tom's Cabin: Uncle Tom's Cabin (home of Josiah Henson in Dresden, Canada), published by Irwin Specialties Limited, East Toronto, Ontario
Uncle Tom's Cabin: Well and Logging Wagon at the Uncle Tom's Cabin Museum, Dresden, Canada, published by Irwin Toy Limited, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Uncle Tom's Cabin: The Josiah Henson House ("Unce Tom's Cabin")
Uncle Tom's Cabin: The "Eliza" House in Ripley, Ohio, published for W.G. Carr, Ripley, Ohio
Uncle Tom's Cabin: John Rankin House in Ripley, Ohio (first station of the Underground Railroad), published by Bristow Drug Co., Ripley, Ohio
Uncle Tom's Cabin: Memorial for station of the Underground Railroad where Eliza of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" is believed to have rested in her escape to Canada
Uncle Tom's Cabin: Memorial for station of the Underground Railroad where Eliza of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" is believed to have rested in her escape to Canada
Uncle Tom's Cabin: 100th Anniversary Exhibition at the Chicago Historical Society
Uncle Tom's Cabin: Mural featuring Uncle Tom and Eva (left), Eva as an angel (middle), and Eliza's escape (right)
Uncle Tom's Cabin: Child sitting on car hood with advertisement for "uncle Tom's Cabin" performance
Uncle Tom's Cabin: "The Death of Eva," Valentine's Series
Uncle Tom's Cabin: "Uncle Tom and Eva," Valentine's Series
Uncle Tom's Cabin: "The Little Evangelist," Valentine's Series (2 copies)
Uncle Tom's Cabin: "Topsy and Miss Ophelia," Valentine's Series