Large scrapbook identified to Ferdinand Coxe (1815-1884), a veteran of the U.S. Infantry and the U.S. Navy who served in various political appointments later in his career. Inscribed at front “Ferdinand Coxe / Commenced in 1846.” Marbled boards, approx. 14 1/2 x 11 1/2, 3+ in. deep, 300+ pp, containing 1000+ images, predominantly etchings and engravings ranging from approx. 2 x 3 in. to 10 x 13 1/2 in., each cut and adhered carefully to the pages; also containing an assortment of ephemera and original artwork. Many items with tissue cut to fit over images. Manuscript notations, presumably in Coxe’s hand, accompany some scrapbook entries providing additional identifications, locations, and context. Subject matter of pasted engravings and etchings varies widely and includes, in part, portraits, landscapes, architecture, artists, works of art, sketches, religious scenes, battles, literary figures, political figures, and Native Americans, featuring international locales and figures from places including England, France, Italy, Belgium, Germany and South and Central America. A small number of original sketches are also adhered to the pages of the scrapbook. Loose within the scrapbook are a number of additional items, including several hand drawn maps. Scrapbook is heavily worn, front and rear covers completely detached, marbled paper peeling from boards, spine disintegrated, several dozen loose pages, toning and soil. Some brittleness and losses along page edges. Consignor relates that the previous owner of the scrapbook purchased it at an estate sale in Connecticut.

Ferdinand Coxe was the youngest son of prominent Philadelphia physician Dr. John Redman Coxe Sr. (1777-1864) and his wife Sarah Coxe. As a young man he served both in the 1st U.S. Infantry and aboard U.S. Navy vessels on lengthy overseas tours. Coxe resigned from the 1st Infantry in 1844 and between 1845-1850 embarked upon a series of overseas excursions, during which he traveled to Valparaiso, Lima, Hawaii, the Mediterranean and back again to New York City. This timeframe overlaps with the initial creation of this scrapbook, and no doubt accounts in part for the international scope of keepsakes and imagery housed within the book. In 1851 Coxe was appointed Secretary of Legation at Brazil by President Filmore, then in 1852 and 1853 Coxe served as chargé d'affaires ad interim at the court of Emperor Pedro II. On his return to the United States in 1854, he married Fannie Cochran (1826-1863) and the couple had two sons. In 1860, the US Federal Census indicates that he was living with his father, with the occupation of "Gentleman." His wife died in 1863 and father in 1864. In 1869 Coxe was appointed Consul to Leghorn, Tuscany, by President Grant. The next day he was caught stealing and confessed to having committed previous offenses as well. He fled the country with his two young sons and spent the last fifteen years of his life in Switzerland where he died in 1884. Coxe’s son, Marcellus Coxe (1857-1917), returned to the US and married. The scrapbook may have been brought back to the United States by Marcellus Coxe after his father’s death. 

Scrapbook highlights include:

1. Three manuscript maps by Coxe: “Gulf of Genoa – November 12 1850 – U.S Ship Constitution – Corsica in sight,” 23 1/2 x 10 1/2 in., tracking the movements of the USS Constitution as it sailed out of the Gulf of Genoa, headed for New York (November 8-10, 1850); an untitled map, approx. 8 1/2 x 11 in., depicting the route of the ship Conrad which carried Coxe from Philadelphia to Rio de Janeiro, August 21 to October 9, 1852; and a third map, untitled, approx. 5 x 8 1/4 in., illustrating the Rio de la Plata basin in South America through Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Argentina, with the Parana, Paraguay, and Uruguay Rivers identified along with major cities along the riverways.

2. Sketches from Coxe's time as Secretary of the US Legation to Brazil, 1851-1852, including: an approx. 10 x 6 in. sketch, ink on paper, depicting a large 2-story building with an American flag waving in the foreground. The sketch is titled in pencil below "Legation of the United States in Brazil - Rio de Janiero - Praia do Flamengo, foot of Rua da Princeza." Signed Ferdinand Coxe, 1852. The fashionable Praia do Flamengo was a fashionable area of Rio in 1852 and a central spot for foreign legations near the Imperial Palace. Additional sketches: ink sketch of the emperor wearing a formal robe and crown, 3 1/4 x 5 in., titled "Don Pedro II / Emperor of Brazil. May 3d 1852."; and ink sketch, approx. 2 1/4 x 4 1/4 in., "Plan of a presentation / at the court of Brazil. / Sept. 7th 1851" with indications of proper throne room etiquette such as location for where to walk and when to bow.

3. Two ink sketches, each approximately 5 x 2 1/2 in., depicting the storm-battered Brig Liberia which transported African American emigrants to Liberia, likely drawn by Coxe during his service aboard the USS Erie as Secretary to Commodore James Renshaw. One sketch, showing the Brig "dismasted & waterlogged February 10th 1836" is captioned "Dieu me grade," French for "God protest me" or "God save me."

4. A watercolor of a sailing ship identified below as "U.S. Ship Erie" and "R.T. Renshaw." The artist is likely Richard T. Renshaw, son of Commodore James Renshaw, who became a midshipman in 1838 at 16, and later served as a naval captain during the Civil War.

5. Coxe's invitation to an Imperial Ball in Brazil, August 1852.

6. An invitation to "State Apartments, Windsor Castle," 1847. The tickets appears to have been made out to "J.R. Coxe," presumably Dr. John Redmond Coxe, Sr.

7. Three sketches signed by Miss Fannie Cochran, each approx. 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 in., probably dating to her courtship with Coxe, ca early 1850s. Each on colored cardstock and showing early European men and scenes.

8. A ticker tape telegram from Coxe in Philadelphia to his wife Fannie, "Washn -- Feby XXIVth..." Coxe tells Fannie he will be home that evening between ten and eleven.

9. A map of Baltimore, approx. 6 x 5 in., circa 1840s, showing the city layout, its wards, as well as buildings and major landmarks such as the "Cathedral," the "Exchange Custom House," the "University," the "Hospital," the "Library," "Theatre," "Museum," "Water Works," "Bank of Baltimore," the "Dispensary," the "Penitentiary," "Washington Monumt.," and "Indian Queen Hotel."

10. Three watercolor landscapes of Turkey painted by artist Joseph Partridge (1792-1833) during his service as a US marine.

11. Ca. 1826 print, approx.. 17 3/4 x 12 in., "Explanation of a View of the City of Mexico, exhibiting in the Panorama, Leicester Square."

12. Rare 1859 print by Thomas F. Hoppin entitled "Captain Smith rescued by Pocahontas."

13. An approx. 11 1/2 x 8 in. pencil drawing, appearing to show Jesus and his apostles at the Last Supper, titled below "Fresco by Raphael recently discovered in Florence."

14. A watercolor, approx. 13 3/4 x 10 1/2 in., illustrating brick fam house with outbuildings, signed on verso ""J.R. Coxe."

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs] [Ephemera, Pamphlets, Publications, Booklets] [Maps, Illustrations][US Navy]