Gertrude Baines: The World's Oldest Person, The Last Link To 1894, Has Passed On

Gertrude Baines, the last representative of the year 1894, aged 115, of California passed away today. She was the daughter of an actual slave (her father was born into slavery in 1863 - a very rare familial link to that institution these days), alive when people were still figuring out how to make an operational radio, years ahead of production-line automobiles, decades ahead of television, already an adult when World War I started and middle-aged when World War II started. During her childhood, there were still a handful of people who were born in the 1700s, a handful of War Of 1812 Veterans and a handful of "Real Children" of Revolutionary War Veterans, and, as she grew older, the thousands of remaining Mexican War and Civil War Veterans were passing on each year. She was one of the last living vestiges of Grover Cleveland's Presidential Administration and the Victorian Era. Her life spanned three centuries.

Gertrude Baines was the last verified person on Earth who actually lived in the year 1894 - her death closes the chapter on 1894 forever. The last verified person on Earth who actually lived in the year 1893, Maria de Jesus of Portugal, died in January of this year at the age of 115. 114-year-old Kama Chinen of Japan is now the world's oldest person. She was born on May 10, 1895.

The Moon, Venus, Aldebaran, Mars And Even Jupiter Were Out On Display Sunday Morning!

A real treat for sky-, star-, moon- and planet-gazers took place on Sunday morning, July 19, 2009. These bodies met in the North/Northeast part of the sky on July 17, 18 and 19.  The first two days were cloudy (I was up prior to 5:00 AM on all three days!). Persistency certainly paid off as I caught an excellent view on the 19th.

The Moon, Venus, Aldebaran (of the Constellation Taurus) and Mars!

The same photo now labelled so you can see what is what. Note: the helium star Aldebaran is 44.2 TIMES the diameter of our Sun (and you thought the Sun was huge!?)!!!

Another shot. Look at the clouds - very nice.

Notice the sky changing color ... this was taken only three minutes after the previous one!

If I am not mistaken, it appears as if the Planet Jupiter stopped by for a visit as well! Looking South.

Jupiter wanted to witness the meeting of the other four too!

At this point, only the Crescent Moon and Venus remained in the North.

Since I am on the topic of Mars, I thought that I would take my Meteorite Collection out and show a sample from it! Here is a very small fragment of the Red Planet (the Martian specimen is classified as NWA 4880: Achondrite: Shergottite). It floated in outer space for a while and landed on Earth in 2007.

Here I am showing some tiny fragments of the Moon too! Found in April 2002. Lunar Meteorite Classification - NEA001: Achondrite: Anorth.

I look to post much more from this area of observation and collecting in the coming months!

Visiting Revolutionary War Veterans' Graves At The Old Newton Friends Burial Ground On July 4, 2009

In honor of the day and in the spirit of the eighteenth century, I stopped by The Old Newton Friends Burial Ground In Haddon Township, New Jersey to look at some old Soldiers' graves and to offer my appreciation.

I visit this cemetery a few times a year and I always make a point to visit these Veterans' graves on the 4th Of July. There is also one War Of 1812 Veteran buried here. Since the year 1886, local residents knew the cemetery was in poor shape, and, in 2009, it is even worse. Vandalism (vandalising the grave of someone who helped create this nation???), neglect, onslaught of the elements ... all aid to the rapid deterioration of this burial ground. We can do better. These Soldiers made a sacrifice for us ... can we make a far less arduous sacrifice for them???

Here is a short documentary clip where I visit each Soldier's grave:

Here is the url if the clip does not embed properly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGZpPIPvCcc

Here is the grave of Joseph Branson:

Joseph Githens:

Here is a close-up of the damage (perhaps I can find a photo of the tombstone from the past year or so and see if this was caused by recent vandalism):

Joseph Zane Collings (this should be of interest to residents and alumni of Collingswood):

Jacob Evaul (photo taken with flash at 7:59 PM):

Jacob Evaul (photo taken without flash at 7:59 PM ... note the difference; it is like night and day!):

Here I am by the old Vet's grave:

I would like to believe that these are original nineteenth century grave stones.  They could be from the 1930s.  I need to research further.  I know the plaques that have been set in the ground facing upward are very likely from the 1930s.

The burial ground borders Haddon Township, Collingswood, Woodlynne and Oaklyn. If you live in the area or if you are the type of person who likes to travel, I would certainly suggest visiting this small old cemetery. You will be glad that you did!

Celebrating The Fourth Of July At Princeton Battlefield

Today, I went to Princeton, NJ to watch a cannon display/demonstration performed by Mott’s 6th Company, 2nd Continental Artillery Reenactors (http://www.mottsartillery.org).

The video:

If the clip does not embed properly, here is the url:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opaqvmiNnYY

Some photos of the event ...

You will note the old Colonnade in the background:

The Clark House - rear view:

The Clark House - front view:

Ever hear of Mercer County? A Brigadier General named Hugh Mercer was injured and tended to (by Founding Father and Signer of The Declaration Of Independence Benjamin Rush) in this very house. He unfortunately died of his wounds and the County was later named after him. The tablet below was erected in honor of the General in 1897:

The Clark Family cared for wounded soldiers from both sides of the conflict. Here is another view of the rear ... this time without the stroller by the entrance!

The Princeton Battlefield is in dire need of YOUR help! Shameless developers are moving in. They are not convinced of the significance of this land to the beginnings of America. The Battle Of Princeton was very strategic and pivotal in the saga of The Revolution - the victory there allowed the American troops to believe they could actually win the War against the British. Now, there is a new War and people are taking sides. This is a War we can win as well. We must not let Hugh Mercer and the others who have fallen die in vain.

The following link has more information:
http://www.saveprincetonbattlefield.org

Secretarial Signatures Of Hoover And Ike

Letters bearing the signatures of secretaries signed on behalf of Herbert Hoover and Dwight Eisenhower have recently sold for big money of an internet auction site. The Hoover letter sold for over $100 and the Ike letter sold for over $180. There is also another Hoover letter currently offered at a fixed price. It features the same secretary. In addition, I saw a website that seeks to "educate" collectors on the autographs of major figures in World War II, and the entry for Eisenhower is a sample of his secretary's hand! How ironic ... and unfortunate. I e-mailed three out of the four people (I never got to e-mailing the seller of the Ike letter) to tell them the signatures are fake, and not one responded back to me. Big surprise.

Be very careful when purchasing Presidential Autographs. Some secretaries were very, very good at replicating their bosses. Some are near impossible to differentiate while others are quite easy to identify. Hoover and Ike are among the easiest ones to pick out. Examples are available for your reference online.

Letter Written By A Confederate Veteran In 1903

On this day 106 years ago, Civil War Veteran B.F. Morgan wrote this letter to two Generals: Cabell and Gordon (William Lewis Cabell and, possibly, John Brown Gordon ... Morgan used the spelling "Gordan"). He was a man who apparently knew the realities of War and wished for Peace ... on Earth and Beyond.

Jpegs and a video are below ...

Confederate General Roger Atkinson Pryor's Grave

I visited the grave of Confederate Roger Atkinson Pryor yesterday (March 18 ... the anniversary of his passing was just a few days prior) at the Nassau Cemetery in Princeton, NJ. Roger, a Virginian, was a member of the United States House Of Representatives and later, a member of the Confederate States House Of Representatives. He was a Brigadier General for the Southern Confederacy and resigned after he had a falling out with Jefferson Davis. Believe or not, he later joined a Calvary Regiment with a significant decrease in rank - he enlisted as a Private and Scout! He was eventually captured and released on parole by Abraham Lincoln. In the 1890s, he served as a Justice in the New York Supreme Court.

Quite a surprise to see a Veteran of the South buried in New Jersey!

While there, I filmed some short documentary footage:

Here is the link if the video does not embed properly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_h4wT5DEWs

Close-up footage:

Here is the link if the video does not embed properly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBqbAgvcFsA

Some blooper footage where I call the cemetery a museum!!

Here is the link if the video does not embed properly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUkVH7b9Vjk

George Washington's Birthday Today!

It is back to the birthdays on this blog. February 22 is the day of birth (on the Gregorian Calendar as opposed to the Julian Calendar used at the time) for General and first U.S. President George Washington. This is not to be confused with the crummy, watered-down version of Washington's Birthday included with all of the other Presidents (aka President's Day). In any event, here is a very nice postcard from circa 1909 to 1912 celebrating the day!

Victorian Era Valentine's Day Cards

Today is February 14 ... Valentine's Day. I finally break the streak of historic birthdays that have filled my blogs so far. For those you who are not aware, "Saint" Valentine was actually "decanonized" in 1955 and 1969 since the Bishop's actions and martyrdom have never been authenticated. Pertaining to a Saint or not, the day is still celebrated worldwide with cards, candy, balloons and hearts as opposed to any particular religious observance in most circles. When I went to Egypt in 2006, I saw people on the street with Valentine's gift bags and the like. Unfortunately in 2008, Saudi Arabian authorities demanded shop owners remove all Valentine's Day items as well as all items colored red including wrapping paper and flowers. There is actually a black market for roses in that country. Black market, huh ... drugs, guns, illegally excavated antiquities and now roses. What next??? I hope all Valentine's Day revellers realize how well they have it.

Just this month, I procured some very nice scrap-type Valentine's Day cards - all nineteenth century and, therefore, all Victorian. These are the real deal. Almost all have been dated on the back by the original owners (Mamie Brown, Ethel Brown and someone named Lulu).

I wore my Valentine's Day Tie for this one!

1886 - True love indeed ... take note of the lil' guy with the arrow:

The inside - looks like it was made blank for a personal message, but someone pasted a note into it:

Close-up:

1889 - this apparently was made for ladies whose beaus were soldiers:

1893 - a loving couple:

The inside:

A delightful card dated 1894 (the text under the kid's head is "My Love's sweet Music Fill thy hearts with Peace and Joy"):

A very interesting and unique example from 1895 - a girl's head in a flower! Occasionally one does in fact encounter such bizarre yet charming artwork from this era. All in all, a lovely specimen of Victoriana:

As you can see from my repeated attempts, this was a difficult piece to photograph:

1895 - exquisite and intricate detail here:

Close-up:

Unfortunately some damage to the one cherub - his head is gone!

The inside:

1897 - this is from the time when the Mozart-style look and characters of the eighteenth century made a comeback:

The inside:

Last and certainly not least - behold ... the love, the passion and the devotion explicit in the craftsmanship ... the epitome of Victorian scrap right here:

The card is undated and almost certainly so due to the fact that the postmarked envelope is present! 1899!! Embossed cover - very well made:

I hope to feature more antique and otherwise historic holiday items as the weeks and months approach!