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Jay Cooke photographs
(description from dealer) Ulysses S. Grant said of Cooke, “Tell him that it is to his labors more than those of any other man that the people of this country owe the continued life of the nation.” Cooke (1821-1905) sold bonds that financed the Union during the Civil War and was also involved in fin...
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| Collection: | Jay Cooke Photographs |
| Collection Number: | 4334 |
| Format: | Manuscript |
| Language: | English |
| Item Description: |
Physical Description Note: 261 black and white or sepia photographs; 211 photos mounted on loose gray 10x12 album leaves and 50 loose photos. The photos range in size from 2 ¾ inches to 3 ½ x 5 ½ inches. There are a few notations and dates on album leaves or on the photos. Most photographs are very good, although a few are somewhat faded |
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| Physical Description: |
0.3 Linear feet 1 box (approx. 261 items) |
| Summary: |
(description from dealer) Ulysses S. Grant said of Cooke, “Tell him that it is to his labors more than those of any other man that the people of this country owe the continued life of the nation.” Cooke (1821-1905) sold bonds that financed the Union during the Civil War and was also involved in financing the Northern Pacific Railway. In addition to the Lodge, e also owned a large mansion in the Elkins Park neighborhood of Philadelphia.
Many of the photographs are related to Cooke’s hunting and fishing lodge, Orgontz Lodge, located in Lycoming County on the Susquehanna River, near Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Cooke purchased the lodge in 1884. Cooke owned nearly the whole First Fork of Larry’s Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna, with the main lodge located 1.2 miles from the mouth and a smaller cabin 5 miles upstream from that. Guests at the lodge over the years have included Herbert Hoover (three times, once as president), Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., and Katharine Hepburn.
At least 19 of the photographs show Orgonz Lodge and environs. There are four photos of the bearded Cooke wearing his wide brimmed felt hat. A group of photos show Organtz Lodge in 1906, just after he died (marked Organtz Lodge 1906 at top of album page). Other photos show what may be young women students on the steps of the Chestnut Street Female Seminary; Cooke rented his Elkins Park mansion to the school and his daughters and friends attended. Another photograph may show the garden and a fountain there.
The bulk of the photographs show rural camping scenes – people canoeing, picnicking, riding horses, relaxing outdoors, or hunting – as well as children with black servants. Eighteen photographs show West Point cadets, the Battle Monument and other views at the US Military Academy at West Point.
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