FURNITURE MAKING HANDWRITTEN LEDGER Manuscript Work Diary Blairstown NJ 1880
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:6472 | Year Printed: 1880 |
| Subject: Americana | Topic: Historical |
| Original/Facsimile: Original | Binding: Leather |
| Special Attributes: Signed, 1st Edition, Manuscript |
FANTASTIC, ORIGINAL 19TH CENTURY MANUSCRIPT LEDGER OF A NOTED NEW JERSEY FURNITURE MAKER. This important early volume dates from 1880-1892 and was kept by furniture maker and undertaker Read Pullis (1860-1938) of Blairstown, New Jersey. Author is listed as an "undertaker and cabinetmaker" in various various directories from the period including both the 1887 Warren County and Blairstown Township directories. He can also be found in trade journals such as "The Furniture Trade Revie...w and Interior Decorator". In 1896, author's business went by the name of "Read Pullis, Furniture Dealer and Funeral Director" as shown on his letterhead. (Scroll down below description for more pictures.)
In addition to Read Pullis, other family members appearing in ledger include author's father George Pullis (1824-1892) and his brothers William M. Pullis (1861-1912) and George E. Pullis (b.1869). Customers who did business with Read Pullis include John Insley Blair (1802-1899), after whom the township of Blairstown is named. Several entries here show Blair's transactions with Read Pullis, as the railroad magnate purchased furniture and paid author for various furniture repairs. Blair built a railroad empire and became one of the world's wealthiest men, all while managing his multi-million dollar empire from his rural Blairstown home.
Fascinating early volume contains some 374 pages of handwritten entries spanning a dozen years of author's life in and around Blairstown. Majority of entries here pertain to Read Pullis' furniture business which was thriving by the mid-1880s. Innumerable entries here for items such as beds, beds and springs, bedsteads, bookcases, carpets, carpet linings, casters, chairs, children's chairs, clothe racks, commode chairs, cupboards, curtain poles, desks, folding steps, furniture, frames, gilt frames, leather, mattresses, mirrors, moldings, oak frames, office tables, parlor sets, parlor suites, pillows, plush chairs, rockers, rocking chairs, shelves, sideboards, step ladders, stools, tables, washstands, etc. Author not only made and sold furniture but also repaired it, as evidenced by entries such as repair bed, repair chair, repair lounge, repair rocker, repair table, etc. Occasional entries here also pertain to author's funeral and undertaking activities such as burial, coffin, funeral bill, etc. Other entries, particularly in the first few pages of ledger, pertain to items and activities unrelated to the business such as chopping wood, cutting grass, fixing wheel, pasturing sheep, plowing, shoeing horse, smoking meat, tending lime kiln, working on road, drawing harvest, tobacco, etc. Most of book however, pertains the author's furniture business.
Blairstown is a township in Warren County, New Jersey. According to recent census figures, the township is currently home to a population of about 5, 967. The area had been known as Smith's Mill and was later called Butts Bridge (variously spelled as "Butt's Bridge" and "Butts' Bridge"), named for a family that owned the eponymous crossing of the Paulins Kill. Blairstown was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 14th, 1845, from portions of Knowlton Township, based on the results of a referendum held that day. The township was named for 19th century railroad magnate and philanthrpost John Insley Blair (1802-1899).
John Insley Blair was born in Foul Rift, New Jersey, which lies near Belvidere on the banks of the Delaware River. By the age of seventeen he recognized the village (then called Butts Bridge) as a key intersection of two roads on the north side of the Paulinskill and strategically located his mercantile storehouse here. Blair went on to grow his empire to include ownership or major interests in banking, milling, mining, real estate and land development. In the early 1850s he invested in the growing railroad industry and over the next forty years became the president or director of twenty-nine railroads nationwide.
Nicknamed the “Railroad King of the West, ” John Insley Blair was estimated to be worth seventy million at the time of his death in 1899, making him the wealthiest person in New Jersey. His philanthropic contributions include the construction of one hundred churches nationwide, the co-founding of Blair Presbyterian Academy, and generous donations to both Princeton University and Lafayette College. Although he traveled extensively during his life, Blair always treasured his time at home, living modestly with his family in the little village which was named in his honor.
Landmark buildings of the historic district have remained virtually untouched since the days of John Insley Blair’s life. The circa-1825 grist mill still stands as the centerpiece of the village. Blair’s store, Presbyterian Church, flatiron building and Victorian-era porches remain the same as when he walked through the village over one hundred years ago. Scenic Blair Falls are a highlight of Main Street and serve as an entrance to the Blair Academy campus, established in 1848. Close to 170 buildings of the village are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Adjacent to Main Street lies Gravel Hill cemetery, which was established in the late 1700s and is the final resting place of the Blair family and other instrumental town founders. Footbridge Park is situated across the Paulinskill at the location once occupied by the Blairstown Railway, lumberyard, and creamery.
Along with Blairstown Township, Warren County today also comprises the communities of Allamuchy Township, Alpha, Belvidere, Franklin Township, Frelinghuysen Township, Greenwich Township, Hackettstown, Hardwick Township, Hope Township, Independence Township, Knowlton Township, Liberty Township, Lopatcong Township, Mansfield Township, Oxford Township, Phillipsburg, Pohatcong Township, Washington Borough, Washington Township, and White Township.
Condition: Rare book remains in good to fair condition (see pictures). Volume bound in original full stamped calf; cover worn with spine partly perished, mild toning, scattered minor staining and ink smudging, etc., generally clean internally. Ledger contains about 374 pp. of manuscript entries in ink and pencil with separate alphabetical tabbed index in front; and measures approx 13.5" tall x 9" wide x 1.5" thick. Quite a find and a very worthy acquisition indeed.
Payment and Shipping: Please see our feedback and bid with confidence. Never a reserve and very low opening bid as always. Never a reserve and very low opening bid as always. For international shipping quote, please contact us. Bidders with no established feedback must contact us before bidding. Massachusetts residents must add 6.25% sales tax or include dealer tax resale number. Payment must be received within 5 days after close of auction. Thanks for your interest!
In addition to Read Pullis, other family members appearing in ledger include author's father George Pullis (1824-1892) and his brothers William M. Pullis (1861-1912) and George E. Pullis (b.1869). Customers who did business with Read Pullis include John Insley Blair (1802-1899), after whom the township of Blairstown is named. Several entries here show Blair's transactions with Read Pullis, as the railroad magnate purchased furniture and paid author for various furniture repairs. Blair built a railroad empire and became one of the world's wealthiest men, all while managing his multi-million dollar empire from his rural Blairstown home.
Fascinating early volume contains some 374 pages of handwritten entries spanning a dozen years of author's life in and around Blairstown. Majority of entries here pertain to Read Pullis' furniture business which was thriving by the mid-1880s. Innumerable entries here for items such as beds, beds and springs, bedsteads, bookcases, carpets, carpet linings, casters, chairs, children's chairs, clothe racks, commode chairs, cupboards, curtain poles, desks, folding steps, furniture, frames, gilt frames, leather, mattresses, mirrors, moldings, oak frames, office tables, parlor sets, parlor suites, pillows, plush chairs, rockers, rocking chairs, shelves, sideboards, step ladders, stools, tables, washstands, etc. Author not only made and sold furniture but also repaired it, as evidenced by entries such as repair bed, repair chair, repair lounge, repair rocker, repair table, etc. Occasional entries here also pertain to author's funeral and undertaking activities such as burial, coffin, funeral bill, etc. Other entries, particularly in the first few pages of ledger, pertain to items and activities unrelated to the business such as chopping wood, cutting grass, fixing wheel, pasturing sheep, plowing, shoeing horse, smoking meat, tending lime kiln, working on road, drawing harvest, tobacco, etc. Most of book however, pertains the author's furniture business.
Blairstown is a township in Warren County, New Jersey. According to recent census figures, the township is currently home to a population of about 5, 967. The area had been known as Smith's Mill and was later called Butts Bridge (variously spelled as "Butt's Bridge" and "Butts' Bridge"), named for a family that owned the eponymous crossing of the Paulins Kill. Blairstown was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 14th, 1845, from portions of Knowlton Township, based on the results of a referendum held that day. The township was named for 19th century railroad magnate and philanthrpost John Insley Blair (1802-1899).
John Insley Blair was born in Foul Rift, New Jersey, which lies near Belvidere on the banks of the Delaware River. By the age of seventeen he recognized the village (then called Butts Bridge) as a key intersection of two roads on the north side of the Paulinskill and strategically located his mercantile storehouse here. Blair went on to grow his empire to include ownership or major interests in banking, milling, mining, real estate and land development. In the early 1850s he invested in the growing railroad industry and over the next forty years became the president or director of twenty-nine railroads nationwide.
Nicknamed the “Railroad King of the West, ” John Insley Blair was estimated to be worth seventy million at the time of his death in 1899, making him the wealthiest person in New Jersey. His philanthropic contributions include the construction of one hundred churches nationwide, the co-founding of Blair Presbyterian Academy, and generous donations to both Princeton University and Lafayette College. Although he traveled extensively during his life, Blair always treasured his time at home, living modestly with his family in the little village which was named in his honor.
Landmark buildings of the historic district have remained virtually untouched since the days of John Insley Blair’s life. The circa-1825 grist mill still stands as the centerpiece of the village. Blair’s store, Presbyterian Church, flatiron building and Victorian-era porches remain the same as when he walked through the village over one hundred years ago. Scenic Blair Falls are a highlight of Main Street and serve as an entrance to the Blair Academy campus, established in 1848. Close to 170 buildings of the village are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Adjacent to Main Street lies Gravel Hill cemetery, which was established in the late 1700s and is the final resting place of the Blair family and other instrumental town founders. Footbridge Park is situated across the Paulinskill at the location once occupied by the Blairstown Railway, lumberyard, and creamery.
Along with Blairstown Township, Warren County today also comprises the communities of Allamuchy Township, Alpha, Belvidere, Franklin Township, Frelinghuysen Township, Greenwich Township, Hackettstown, Hardwick Township, Hope Township, Independence Township, Knowlton Township, Liberty Township, Lopatcong Township, Mansfield Township, Oxford Township, Phillipsburg, Pohatcong Township, Washington Borough, Washington Township, and White Township.
Condition: Rare book remains in good to fair condition (see pictures). Volume bound in original full stamped calf; cover worn with spine partly perished, mild toning, scattered minor staining and ink smudging, etc., generally clean internally. Ledger contains about 374 pp. of manuscript entries in ink and pencil with separate alphabetical tabbed index in front; and measures approx 13.5" tall x 9" wide x 1.5" thick. Quite a find and a very worthy acquisition indeed.
Payment and Shipping: Please see our feedback and bid with confidence. Never a reserve and very low opening bid as always. Never a reserve and very low opening bid as always. For international shipping quote, please contact us. Bidders with no established feedback must contact us before bidding. Massachusetts residents must add 6.25% sales tax or include dealer tax resale number. Payment must be received within 5 days after close of auction. Thanks for your interest!
