THE NEWPORT VINTAGE EPHEMERA GALLERY

Antique books, photos, maps, post cards about Newport, Rhode Island

and Providence Plantations

Plus books written by Federico Santi & John Gacher

The Drawing Room of Newport

152 Spring Street / Newport, RI 02840 (401-841-5060)

Pictured is a Newport Electric Corporation Stock Certificate, from 1931. Not exactly the best year to issue stock certificates. We have thousands of these un-issued certificates. Condition: Excellent. Size: 7 1/4" x 11 1/8". Price: $2.00 each or 20 or more $1.00 each. We have enough to wallpaper a small powder room!

Vintage Newport (and vicinity) Post Cards. We offer over 3,000 vintage post cards of Newport Cottages, street views, waterfront, businesses, The Navy and immediate area including Middletown, Portsmouth, Jamestown. This is the largest selection of vintage Newport Postcards in Rhode Island. Prices range from $1.00 to $20.00 for more rare examples. We have many photographic cards of Newport Cottages. We have sold all of our vintage post cards recently to a local collector.

Item #103. A rare steel engraving titled: "Race for the America's Cup" Pictured is The Vigilant along with Helvetia and The Valkyrie. Engraved by J.O. Davidson '93. Signed in pencil under the title Helvetia "Julian O. Davidson" Davidson was born in Nyack, NY in 1853. Among other things, he was an illustrator for Harper's in the 1880s. He was a champion sculler and his studio was in Nyack. Published by Knoedler, New York. Copyrighted. . . Size: 24.5" x 30". Print size: 26" x 21.5". Condition: in the original frame, foxing staining, this print needs to be professionally cleaned. Price: $950.00.

Item # 6052. A rare steel engraving by J.P. Newell of Newport, Rhode Island. Titled: "CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH, NEWPORT R.I." Copyright 1879. The church, which is still standing without the tower and is a residential condo, is located on Clarke Street. The engraving also shows the Newport Artillery Company. Size as shown inside the mat: 16" x 21". Frame size: 21.5" x 25.5". Condition: staining consistent with age. This is a rare Newport engraving: Newell executed well known views of Newport and the vicinity. Price: $500.000.

Item # NPT102. "Newport Our Society Capital" by Mrs. John King Van Rensselaer. Limited edition # 121 of 347 printed copies. Published by J. B. Lippincott Company 1905. Condition: bumps, scuffs and front cover delamination. Appears to be intact with no missing pages. The 2 original maps on the back cover inside flap and intact and in good condition. Pretty rare edition: re-published twice. . . . Price: $1,500.00.

Item # NPT101. "Society As I Have Found It" by Ward McAllister. Edition De Luxe limited to 400 copies of which this is No. 259. Copyright 1890. Size: 7.5" x 10.25". Condition: bumps and scuffs to the outer cover; the page depicting Mr. McAllister is loose as are pages 149 to 163. No notation as to the previous owner and no margin notes. A rare copy, we have owned only 2 in the past 36 years in Newport. SOLD: we are always interested in purchasing first editions of this book, please call us at 401-261-3980.

Item # NPT100. A copy of "The Architectural Heritage of Newport Rhode Island" written by Antoinette F. Downing and Vincent J. Scully, Jr. Harvard University Press Cambridge, Massachusetts 1952. 1st Edition. Condition: very torn covers otherwise intact: THIS VOLUME INCLUDED: a photo album size 9" x 11" titled: "Catalogue of Newport Photographs by Bob Meservey Hanover, N.H. 1947-48. Merservy was contracted to take many of the photos for the Heritage book written by Downing and Scully. The ferrotype photos are numbered and notated. There are 60 pages (front and back) of photos which total 260. This is a rare collection of documented photos of Newport. Book and album are sold together. Inquiries.

Item # RI 7. Titled: "Rhode Island Interference of the executive in the affairs of" Printed June 7, 1844. The 28th Congress 1st Session Rep. No. 546. House of Representatives. This book consisted of 1070 pages. Owned and inscribed Mr. William J. Underwood Book. Newport R.I. 181 / Thomas Peckham Book. 1844. This book is the historical referencing to the Thomas Wilson Dorr Trial of 1844. This is a remarkable reference book of Rhode Island history of that time period. On page 474 is stated: "List of persons at the election of the 27th 28th and 29th December 1841, for the purpose of adopting the people's constitution." and then there follows to page 622 the list of voters in each town of Rhode Island. There are tables of populations from 1832 to 1841. Condition: scuffs and surface tears to the leather cover; foxing and staining to many interior pages; no pages are missing. Price: $500.00.

Item # RI 1. Hoag, Wade & Co. [Albert J. Wright, Printer], Philadelphia, 1878. Hard Cover. Book Condition: Missing Spine. First Edition. First edition [no statement of printing]. Oversize [about 11.25" x 14"] volume with bevelled board edges, [originally bound in] dark brown cloth with gold gilt lettering/decoration/rules 370 pages, all edges gilt, illustrated. There are over 100 full page illustrations of homes and commercial structures and churches in Rhode Island of note. Each chapter for every city and town in Rhode Island. Condition: as stated there is no outer spine. Some foxing to some pages; appear to have no pages missing; small tears to several pages. This is a great reference book in usable condition. Scanned and reprinted, the illustrations are beautifully rendered from original drawings and would be great framed. Price: $300.00.

Item # RI 8. Titled: "Reminiscences of the late Rev. Samuel Hopkins, D.D. of Newport, R.I. Illustrative of his character and doctrines, with Incidental Subjects." Written by William Patten, D.D. Isaac H. Cady Market Street, Providence, R.I. Boston . . . etc. 1843. Samuel Hopkins was born September 17, 1721 and died December 20, 1803. He was an American Congregationalist minister of the late Colonial era. Created a new theological structure called The New Divinity also called Hopkinsianism. He is credited with originating the concept of "disinterested benevolence" which became and central concept in "The Great Awakening". An early opponent to the institution of slavery, he published a pamphlet entitled, "A Dialogue Concerning the Slavery of the Africans," which was addressed "To the Honorable Members of the Continental Congress, Representatives of the Thirteen United American Colonies." Size: app. 4" x 6"; condition: fraying to the top outer binding, some foxing and a couple of tiny holes in a couple of pages. A good Rhode Island reverence book in usable condition. Price: $150.00.

Description Item Number NPT3. From our extensive collection of Newport Rhode Island books, post cards and Historical Ephemera: A tourist booklet: "Newport Historic Guide (revised)" Compiled by Earl Washburn Illustrated. Size: 6" x 9". Outer paper covers. 103 pages. Drawings and photo illustrate the excellent booklet. Condition: stains to the outer cover and discoloration to many of the interior pages. A useful Newport Rhode Island book. Mr. and Mrs. Washburn at one time owned our building in Newport and Delphine had a book store in our gallery. Price: $40.00.

Offering books by Drawing Room Antiques Gallery Owners Federico Santi & John Gacher

Newport Mansions Postcards of the Gilded Age

ISBN: 0-7643-2497-7. Library of Congress Control Number 2006924184. This paperback book features over 200 Gilded Age early 20th century post cards of Newport with views of the Mansions, Cliff Walk, Newport public and private beaches and famed shopping area Bellevue Avenue. Most of the pictures are in full color. "Newport, Rhode Island, nicknamed "The Queen of Resorts." has been celebrated in beautiful postcard portrayals for over a hundred years. Today, these vintage cards illuminate the glories of the Gilded Age, when huge mansions or "cottages" built by competing industrialists blossomed along Bellevue Avenue and The Cliff Walk, turning a once-quiet New England watering hole into the apex of Nouveau riche destinations." Newport, Rhode Island, nicknamed "the Queen of Resorts," has been celebrated in beautiful postcard portrayals for over a hundred years. Today, these vintage cards illuminate the glories of the Gilded Age, when huge mansions or "cottages" built by competing industrialists blossomed along Bellevue Avenue and the Cliff Walk, turning a once-quiet New England watering hole into the apex of nouveau riche destinations. Information about the second edition: This updated and expanded second edition features over 200 period images of the mansions, the beautiful beaches, and the shopping areas where the Newport Summer Colony gathered to do what they did best: spend money. See how Newport was forever changed by the prolific growth of "cottages" during the late nineteenth century. Today, many of these testaments to power and wealth are house museums, where thousands visit annually to see firsthand how the rich and famous lived. Includes a guide to postcard values and collector tips. Price: $24.95.

"Newport, RI Snapshots: A Study Guide

Late 19th century & early 20th century photos of

The "Cottages" The Point, The Hill, and Broadway"

Written by Federico Santi

"Newport, RI Snapshots: a Study Guide" introduces the reader to historic 19th and early 20th century Newport through photographs. Collected by the author, Federico Santi, over the past 30 years, this book showcases Newport’s ‘Cottages,’ The Point and Hill neighborhoods and Broadway, one of Newport’s business streets. Each photo is left without notation and leaves it up to the reader to research the name of the buildings and locations. Over 100 images create a visual history of Newport over the decades and the ups and downs of this historical “City by the Sea.” Price: $20.00.

Available on Amazon:ISBN: 9781717271600

"Newport, RI Snapshots: a Study Guide-Part 2

Late 19th and early 20th century photos of

Downtown Newport"

Written by Federico Santi

Part 2 of "Newport, RI Snapshots: a Study Guide" introduces the reader to historic downtown Newport through late 19th and early 20th century photographs. Collected by the author over the past 30 years, this book showcases images of a vibrant commercial downtown including Thames Street, the wharfs, Washington Square and the businesses that were the backbone of this historic "City by the Sea." As a study guide, each photo is left without a notation and the author leaves it up to the reader to research the name of the buildings and locations. Over 100 images plus scores of advertisements from the 1869-70 and 1874-75 City directories tell the story of Newport through the decades. Many of these photographs have never been published because snapshots were meant to be kept in personal photo albums to be viewed by family members. Price: $20.00.Available from Amazon: ISBN: 9781706400417

"Newport Naval Training Station

A Postcard History

Written by Federico Santi

In the late 19th century, at the site of an old asylum for the poor on Coaster’s Harbor Island off the city of Newport, Rhode Island, local residents made a decision that would change American military history forever: they proposed that the 90-acre Island become a U.S. Naval Training Center. Postcards and other artifacts document physical changes over time, activities of enlisted trainees, and images of stationed ships. A detailed history unfolds through historical documents, 19th century newspapers, and detailed images. The metamorphosis of Newport, Rhode Island into today's vibrant city is revealed. Development of the Newport Naval Training Station, still in use as Naval Station Newport and The Navy War College, waxed and waned with political forces and both world wars. Postcard images show all facets of life on the base: from the mundane, like washing clothes, to the serious, like drilling, sham battles, artillery training, signal training, and life aboard the battleship USS Constellation.

Available from Schiffer Pub. and Amazon: ISBN: 9780764343230

"Newport Cottages Halcyon Days"

Photographs of The Gilded Age

When Newport Rhode Island was

The Social Capital of America

"Newport Cottages Halcyon Days" tells the story of America's favorite resort during the Gilded Age. Over 100 photos dating from 1880-1920 document Newport architectural gems, many still standing today. Particularly noteworthy are dozens of never-published photos taken between 1885-1915 by Newport photographer Clarence Stanhope. Also reproduced are over 100 advertisements selling goods to the Bellevue Avenue elite and stunning engravings from magazines catering to an American public eager to learn more about the rich and famous who summered in their Newport "cottages." 136 Pages. Paperback. ISBN: 9798711487951 Price: $20.00.

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The Drawing Room is located at 152-154 Spring Street, Newport, Rhode Island 02840.We are open daily from 11 am to 5 pm and by appointment. If you have an interest in an item listed in this document or wish to purchase an item, please call us at 1-401-841-5060 (cell 1-401-261-3980).

Our Email address is: drawrm@hotmail.com