Papers, 1803-1935, bulk 1830-1890.

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Papers, 1803-1935, bulk 1830-1890.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/261228838

Collection contains personal and business records compiled by the McAllister family of Philadelphia between 1803-1935. Among the items are a daybook used by John McAllister Sr., letters, postcards, a menu, notice of meetings, committee reports, invitations, printed billheads from various firms, and a memorial speech for John McAllister, Jr., that contains biographical information about him. A number of undated photographs depict various family members. One photo, dated 1854, shows the shop front of the family store. Two pencil sketches show John McAllister Sr.'s house. Several trade cards, advertisements, and two trade catalogs of the firm are included. They note that the McAllisters manufactured spectacles, spyglasses, microscopes, magic lanterns, thermometers, gunther scales, protractors, surveying chains, and tape measures, as well as other optical and mathematical instruments and apparatus. The daybook lists daily sales figures from the time "Sales Commenced Aug. 30th 1803, Tuesday" through Tuesday December 31, 1805. Typical listings are: "Silver Spects $6;" "Sword Cane $4;" "Whip & Ink Stands $2;" "Spy Glass & Microscope, $19;" "Opera Glass, $1.50;" "Pistol Tinder Box, Spects, & Whip, $3.75." Includes daily, weekly, monthly, and annual totals. Also includes a list of "The Profits of the Whips from 1st July 1805--Germantown Manufacture" and "Family Expences 1805."

1 box [approx. 50 items] : ill. (b&w) ; 30x44 cm.

Winterthur Library

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 7155476

Winterthur Library

Related Entities

There are 6 Entities related to this resource.

McAllister, William Y. (William Young), 1812-1896

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6jv0fhh (person)

Native of Philadelphia, Pa. From the description of Letters, 1834-1835. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 33203491 ...

McAllister, Elizabeth A. Woods, 1942-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6j39qs7 (person)

McAllister family.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6c33t9c (family)

The McAllister family operated a manufactory that produced whips, eyeglasses, optical instruments, and mathematical instruments in Philadelphia during the 19th century. John McAllister (1753-1830) was a native of Scotland who moved to New York City in 1775 and then to Philadelphia in 1781. He began business as a whip maker at 16 South Third Street, Philadelphia, in 1796 and eventually partnered with a Mr. Mathews. On his 1803 trade label, he advertised "Spectacles, Hardware in general, also Whip...

McAllister, Agnes Young, 1817-1879

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w66d6rqm (person)

McAllister, John, 1753-1830

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w65h8drd (person)

McAllister, John, 1786-1877

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w68g9hq5 (person)

John McAllister Jr. (1786-1877) was a second-generation manufacturer and retailer of optical equipment in Philadelphia. After retiring in 1835, he began to assemble an antiquarian collection of books and other materials in his home in Philadelphia. His "collection of ancient pamphlets, newspapers, maps, and manuscripts being large and well-arranged" was mentioned in the "Memorial Notice of John McAllister, Jr. Read by Charles M. Morris before the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, January 14, 1...