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Author Archives: meehan
Cigarette Cards
In the early 1900s, small leather or paper cards were gifts in cigarette packages. This came from the increasing popularity and competition of cigarette sales. Including a prize enticed buyers and interested collectors would try to obtain all the cards … Continue reading
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Writing Desks
In the Victorian era (1837 – 1901) one invention became incredibly popular due to its practicality and convenience: the portable writing desk. These desks were like briefcases, wooden boxes often with a handle and lock, that opened to create a … Continue reading
Posted in Artifacts
Tagged Alexander Burdick, Early travel, William Kenyon, Writing
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Early Fans
An interesting object in the collection is this folding fan made from wood and paper. On the front of the fan, a bundle of red flowers is painted. Fans of this sort were invented in Japan somewhere from the 6th … Continue reading
Glass Plate Negatives
A glass plate negative photograph is created by spreading emulsion on a glass plate. Light is focused through a lens onto that material creating the negative image which is then developed to create the photograph. This photography method was invented … Continue reading
Horn Books
Hornbooks were a teaching tool for children going back to the 1400’s. They often featured the letters of the alphabet as well as small prayers for children to read. This hornbook, part of the Alfred Historical Society collection, is a … Continue reading
Early Microtome
Biology professor Era Scofield discovered this 1910 microtome under the eaves in the attic of Agricultural Hall when it was being torn down in the early 1970s. This device (and more complex versions used today) are used to cut microscopically … Continue reading
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Captain Horatio Wood
Horatio Wood was born in Butler, Wayne County, New York on August 23, 1869. In the late 1890s, as a member of the Coast Guard, he became captain of the U.S. Cutter “Bear” that patrolled Alaskan waters helping commercial fishing … Continue reading