The Bibliothecary
The Quaker City Blog
RIP George Lippard
Today is the death day of George Lippard. I have a post with all sorts of Lippardian goodies on my Ed & Edgar blog.
Lippard like Shakespeare
Just came across this little passage in The Shirley Letters from California Mines in 1851-52:
Among other oddities, there is a person here who is a rabi admirer of Lippard. I have heard him gravely affirm that Lippard was the greatest author the world ever saw, and that if one of his novels and the most fascinating work of ancient or modern times lay side by side, he would choose the former, even though he had already repeatedly perused it. He studies Lippard just like other folks do Shakespeare, and yet the man has read and admires the majestic prose of Chilton, and is quite familiar with the best English Classics.
Gratifying to find myself described over a hundred years before my birth.
Edgar, George and the Wissahickon
That tour of the Wissahickon, the area beloved of both George Lippard and Edgar Allan Poe, will happen this Sunday, June 22 at 4PM. Nick Bucci will lead a group of us on a hike through the Philadelphia Wilderness. We'll see Kelpius' Cave and visit the rock where Lippard was married (see previous post). If you are free, you are welcome to join us. We're meeting at 4Pm at the Kelpius Historical marker located on Hermit Lane off Henry Ave. Parking is available there. Wear good hiking shoes. The trail can be rough in places.
Hope to see you.
Ed Pettit
in Edgar & George, Wissahickon
|
Post a Comment
George and Rose
I've been learning many wonderful things while reasearching Edgar Allan Poe, George Lippard and Philadelphia circa 1840. But today was a real treat at the Library Company. They have two personal Bibles from Lippard, one a small (12mo) English Bible printed by Thomas Cowperthwait (Phila, 1843) and another large (27 cm) Pictorial Bible. Both were donations from Lippard's Brotherhood of the Union, which finally disbanded in the mid-1990s. The small Bible was a gift from George to his future wife Rose Newman. In it he wrote a poem for his future wife (they would marry in 1847). It reads:
This Book containing the words of
Christ,
The “Unfadeing, eternal and all-mighty”
Is given—
____________
To Rose
January 1st, 1844—
From G.L.
____________
The stream may cease to flow, the sun may cease
to shine,
The air may lose its life, all things of life
their breath,
But maiden I am thine, and maiden thou
art mine,
Mine in life on life, mine in despair or
death,
Mine by the wanes of fate that onward round
me roll,
Mine in life, and mine in death; the Vow
is on my soul.
____________
That's very exciting to find-- personal verse written to his beloved.
The Pictorial Bible finally solved the question of the date of the Lippards' marriage, as well as some of it's details. One of the pages serves as their marriage certificate:
Philada: — Saturday May 15th, 1847——
I hereby certify that I have this day joined
In marriage, according to the laws of this
State, George Lippard and Rose Newman,
Both of the County of Philadelphia, State of
Pennsylvania.
C Chauncey Burr
There is also a Parents' Register in the family pages of the Bible:
FATHER George Lippard, born April
Tenth, (10) A.D. 1822—
Son of Daniel B. and Jemima
Lippard.
MOTHER Rose Lippard, (daughter of
John and Catherine Newman,
Born, January ninth 1825.)
Married on the Wissahikon,
May 15. 1847. by Rev. C. Chauncey
Burr, in the presence of Harriet N. Lippard
a Marriages page:
On the Fifteenth of May, 1847—
George Lippard and Rose Newman
were married, by Rev. C. Chauncey Burr,
and in the presence of Harriet N. Lippard.
The marriage took place on the Rock
Of Wissahikon, at sunset.——
Births:
March Thirty first, A.D. 1848, a
Daughter born, named Mima.
(4 o’clock and five minutes, P.M.)
Tuesday, June 11th 1850, at
12 1/2 o’clock, mid-day, a son
born named Paul Newman Lippard
and Deaths
On Friday morning, December
29th. 1848, at 8 1/2 o’clock,
Harriet N. Lippard.
On Tuesday morning, October
23rd. 1849, at 3 o’clock,
Mima Lippard, daughter
Of George and Rose Lippard.
On Saturday morning March 1st 1851
Paul N. Lippard, son of George and Rose
Lippard.
On Wednesday morning, May 21st 1851
Rose Newman Lippard, wife of
George Lippard.
Someone even recorded the author's death:
On Thursday morning at 4 oclock Febr 9th 1854
George Lippard
And I love this: pasted into the book was a strip of paper recording Lippard's promise of marriage:
On the 6th of Ecember 1842 it was resolved by G Lippard and R. Newman that 10 years from that day they would wed R. Newman
So we now know the date of the Lippards' marriage, May 15, and that it was at sunset on "the Rock" of the Wissahickon. But the personal details are also very touching, especially the early deaths of both children and parents and the youthful promise of love in that promise to wed.
Lippardmania!
Lippard talk! Tomorrow! See previous post!
Ed Pettit
in Appearances, Edgar & George, Philly
|
Post a Comment
Poe and Lippard
Can it get any better than Edgar Allan Poe and George Lippard? Together? In 
Philly?
Well then, come on down to the Philly Poe House at 7th and Spring Garden Sts in the Athens of America on Saturday, May 10, 2PM. I'll be talking about that way cool gothic novelist, journalist, labor reformer, historian, Philadelphian and friend of Poe, the mighty George Lippard!
The event is free, but reservations are recommended. Just call the Poe House at (215)597-8780 to reserve a spot.
Ed Pettit
in Appearances, Edgar & George, Philly
|
Post a Comment
George and the Wissahickon
Since I've been able to do some Lippardian research lately (gearing up for my May 10 talk about him at the Philly Poe House), I thoguht it would be fun to start posting here again. Still not sure when I'll get back to posting chapters from The Quaker City, but in the meantime, I'll share some of my Lippard discoveries here.
My Poe speech at the Roxborough Manayunk Wissahickon Historical Society was especially fun 
Kelpius, Historical Soc of PAfor me because George Lippard was, along with his friend, Edgar Allan Poe, a devotee of the famous Wissahickon Creek. While Poe found the area sublimely enchanting, Lippard was more attuned with its mystical history as the home of Johannes Kelpius and his fellow monks who lived in the caves along the creek in the late 17th - early 18th centuries (the painting of Kelpius to the right is reputed to be the first oil painting done in America). Lippard used the Wissahickon as a setting in several of his works, including the Revolutionary War legend, The Rose of Wissahikon and Paul Ardenheim, the Monk of Wissahikon.
While visiting Philadelphia, Mark Twain wrote to his brother: "Geo. Lippard, in his 'Legends of Washington and his Generals,' has rendered the Wissahickon sacred in my eyes."
There are several accounts of Lippard's marriage ceremony to Rose Newman on a rock overlooking the gorge by moonlight. Some accounts say the bride and groom were dressed in Indian apparel, but I don't know if this is legend or not, although it suits Lippard well, the creator of so many historical legends, to have such a legend spring up about himself. I've even read the date of the marriage was May 14, 1847, but I'm not sure of the source. Nevertheless, I'm hoping to make the tour of the Wissahickon creek soon and, with the help of Wissahickon afficianado, Nick Bucci, see some of the sites so sacred to both Poe and Lippard. Perhaps we can make a group outing of this. Let me know in the comments here if you're interested in joining me.
Be Back Later
Yes, yes, I said "be back soon" in October, but have not yet returned. Look for the restart of The Quaker City serialization early this year.
Be back soon.
I know it's been a bit too long since I've posted a Quaker City chapter, but I promise it'll be back shortly. Just finishing up some other projects (and gearing up for the Poe Wars). Sorry for the delay.
Ed
Book the Second, Chapter Third
After the Dickensian characters and humor of the previous two chapters, Lippard returns once more to the danger and subterfuge lurking beneath the surface of the Quaker City, as Colonel Fitz-Cowles is visited this time not by some ridiculously-named fat merchants, but by a hunch-backed creature who provides real a real threat to the Colonel.
Read on to discover who will receive
Book the Second, Chapter Second
Chapter Second has been posted,
in which Col. Fitz-Cowles attempts to appease the merchants to whom he owes money:
Find out how
lawyer Bluffly Bulk,
Parisian botmaker Michael O'Flannagan ("And me a Paryshian barn?") ,
Dry Goods merchant McWhiley Mumshell
and portrait miniaturist Coddle St. Giles
react when Fitz-Cowles utters,
"Huancatepapetel."
Note for Book 2, Chapter 2
I just posted an annotation on the United States Hotel reference in "Fitz-Cowles at Home." Ric Ben-Safed (a self-described "Poe fan") sent me an email asking if Edgar Allan Poe and Lippard may have met while Charles Dickens was visiting Philadelphia. Dickens stayed at the US Hotel on Chestnut St, just a block away from the offices of The Spirit of the Times newspaper. Lippard covered Dickens' visit for The Spirit. And Poe met Dickens at the Hotel. Ric has done some investigating of the buildings and has given me permission to share this (Thanks, Ric):
I read Lippard's description of that day March 6,1842 , he says word got out that "Boz" was there and was mobbed by people because of an announcement in a city newspaper. I read Charles Dickens' letter to Poe that he would be pleased to meet him at the United States Hotel betwen 11:30 and 12:30. I think Dickens arrived the day before, Poe had written to him suggesting they meet. Could they have travelled together and been part of that mob ? I don't know for sure.
However, I discovered from the bound copies of the 1842 (june to dec) Graham's Magazine I have recently acquired, that it was published at 98 Chesnut street. I then called Phila Archives to find out where 98 Chesnut or Chestnut Street would have been in 1842 ( The city and county were consolidated in 1853 and the street numbering system was changed.) Well it turns out that the S.W corner of 3rd and Chestnut is the location of 98 Chestnut st today. The Second National Bank (now a National Park service "Portrait" gallery of our founders and major movers of the 18th century). Dickens in "American Notes" mentions that there was old abandoned bank when he looked out the window of his hotel room. (His room fronted on Chestnut St.)
So back I went to the City Archives..got an architectural drawing of the U.S. Hotel and the building on the corner of 3rd street, then went to the area. Well when I looked across the street from the 2nd nat bank I saw the "Philadelphia Bank" and except for the words above the door, it's the same facade as the United States Hotel. Then down the street at the corner of 3rd and Chestnut I looked and the foundations of the building are now behind a brick wall, but can be peered from around the corner. Graham's Magazine was published in the same building (now just a foundation in outline) that Alexander Hamilton used as the 1st Treasury office at today's 3rd and Chestnut ). Across the street at the corner of 3rd and Chestnut is now a B&B hotel...with a different facade, but it appears to be the same building that George Lippard worked as the "Spirit of the Times".
Ed Pettit
in Book the Second, Editorial
|
1 Comment
Book the Second, Chapter First
Finally, the serial continues . . .
Book the Second
The Day after the Night
The Forger
In Chapter First we see
The surreal, gothic, horrifying sensationalism of Book the First alters for a spell as the story turns humorous when Fitz-Cowles entertains Buzby Poodle, the editor of the Daily Black Mail. Read on to discover Poodle's shocking personal secret (and why it sends Fitz-Cowles and his servant, Dim, into fits of laughter).
Coming Soon
Sorry for the break in posting. The old computer has finally died and a new one has just been received. There will be a bit of maintenance for the next couple weeks. Book the Second of The Quaker City will begin its run on Saturday, July 21. So, those of you who still need to get caught up on Book the First, now's your chance. I'll also be posting a recap of the action thus far on July 21.
Thanks for reading. Be back soon.
Ed
Book the First, Chapter Fifteenth
This week we conclude Book the First of The Quaker City.
We return to the scene of Mary in the Rose Chamber,
her condition and her visitors.
What are Lorrimer's plans now that he has debauched the innocent girl?
Who has so startled Devil-Bug with
"the look of one arisen from the dead?"
And who, in a fit of madness, exclaims,
"An invisible hand is leading me to my doom. There is Death for me, in yonder river, and I know it, yet down, down to the rivers banks, down, down into the red waters, I must go. Ha! ha! ‘Tis a merry death! The blood-red waves rise above me—higher, higher, higher! Yonder is the city, yonder the last rays of the setting sun, glitter on the roof and steeple, yonder is the blood-red sky—and ah! I tell ye I will not die—you shall not sink me beneath these gory waves! Devil! Is not your vengeance satisfied—must you feast your eyes with the sight of my closing agonies—must your hand grasp me by the throat, and your foot trample me beneath the waves? I tell you I will not, will not die—"
Enter and read the next exciting chapter,
The Dishonor