This is the December 10, 1853 issue of GLEASON'S PICTORIAL DRAWING-ROOM COMPANION newspaper, which in later years went by the name of Ballou's pictorial.  It is much like the more popular newspapers of the time, Harper's Weekly, and Frank Leslie.  All of these newspapers were highly illustrated with wood engravings. It is in very good condition, the pages are flat and clean, except for a few age spots, which are quite normal for a newspaper of this age. As you can see from the list of articles below it gives a good insight into the issues and life of that time, along with some very nice literary articles and poems. Additional pictures are available upon request. Please include your e-mail address.                                                   

ARTICLES:

TEAL SHOOTING – The blue winged teal is the first of its tribe that returns to us in the autumn, from its breeding grounds in the north.  They are usually seen early in September, along the shores of the Delaware.  The cover engraving depicts a sportsman, with his trusted dog, among the reeds in the marshland. (See picture)

THE PATRIOT CRUISER - A REVOLUTIONARY STORY - by Sylvanus Cobb, Jr.

BUFFET OR SIDEBOARD - The article of furniture is a most artistic and exquisite piece of workmanship, and the design and execution are beautifully carried out by Gahery & Gendrot, and exhibited at the Mechanics Institute Fair in Boston.  An engraving of the carved buffet is presented.

PALMER’S PATENT LEG - It is a beautiful and ingenious substitute for the natural leg, and is composed of the lightest materials compatible with strength and durability.  The artificial leg gained much attention from physicians and surgeons at the Crystal Palace exhibition.

PATENT SPRING -This magnificent light carriage was exhibited by Mr. Hubbard, at the crystal Palace, as a model of his new Patent Car and Carriage Spring.  An engraving of the Hubbard carriage is presented. (See picture)

NEW RAILROAD STATION, AT PHILADELPHIA - This building situated at Broad and Prime Streets, Philadelphia, was commenced August 1851, and completed August 1852.  An engraving of the grand station is presented.

SULIMA, MOUTH OF THE DANUBE - The treaty of the Adrianople conferred on Russia, in 1829, the right of establishing and maintaining a quarantine station at one of the mouths of the Danube, which forms the boundary between the Turkish and Russian empires, and bears the name of Sulima.  A nautical scene of the mouth of the Danube at Sulima is presented. (See picture)

ROXBURY – In the 1850’s there was strong sentiment for Roxbury and Boston to be joined, and become one city.  An engraving of Roxbury, as seen from the Tremont Road is presented. (See picture)

BROKEN FAITH – A poem by Phoebe Carey.

MR. MUDDLETON’S POLITICAL CAREER – A story by Dr. J. H. Robinson

LETTERS FROM EGYPT - by Rev. F. W. Holland - It is well there are no more builders of pyramids.  Imagine the astronomical observatories, royal iron-safes for undiscovered treasures, artificial mountains to turn off the desolating desert sands, there were a sinful waste of life and a monstrous perversion of a nation's energy.

THE MILLS HOUSE, CHARLESTON, S. C. - The Mills House is eligibly and commandingly situated in the most active section of the city Charleston, S. C., at the southwest corner of Meeting and Queen Streets.  An engraving of the grand hotel is presented with this article.

THE CHILDHOOD OF SHAKESPEARE -THE HOUSE AT STRATFORD – A story by Anne Wilbur - The great entertainment which Lord Leicester was preparing in honor of Queen Elizabeth.

FASHION OF CLOAKS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER – Four engravings and descriptions of the fashions are presented.

EDITH TO HAROLD – A poem by Alice Carey

FIAT JUSTITIA – A story by T. S. Arthur

PORTRAITS OF EAST INDIANS – Six engraved portraits and descriptions are presented.  “Bulbyo-Sein, Rajah of Mundi,” “Alladad, Khan of Tak,” “The Faqueer Uzeer-ood-deen,” “Dancing Faqueer of Lahorf,” “Ram Sing, Killed in the Battle of Sobraon,” and “Sourmee Woman of the Alpine Punjaut.”