I’d known little about book plates until I visited England where they were popular. When I told my mom about them she procured a small black box of book plates depicting Pegasus in the night sky. I didn’t ask where they came from — it was just something she had. Okay — maybe that’s not entirely true. It is possible I bought them at a yard sale. I don’t remember. I do remember using them though in only very special books.
The time has come to get rid of these — the glue on the back has gotten wet and now all the book plates are stuck to the next. I don’t know if I ever thought about the artist who designed them, even though his name is on the front of the box. I may or may not have known about the descriptive booklet that came with the box of book plates.
Rockwell Kent (June 21, 1882 – March 13, 1971), the artist behind the Pegasus book plates, was an American painter, printmaker, illustrator, writer, sailor, adventurer and voyager. [Wikipedia contributors. “Rockwell Kent.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 7 Apr. 2024. Web. 25 May. 2024.] He’s got a page at the National Gallery of Art website, but none of his works are on display.
I am not sure where this receipt came from. I’m thinking it was from my Mom’s side of the family. I also do not know why it was saved all these years. It sure sent me down a rabbit hole. I now know more than I ever wanted to about Allen Ripley Foote.
Professor Google tells me that the receipt was for A Sound Currency and Banking System — How it May be Secured” written in 19 by Allen Ripley Foote. According to the Amazon blurb the book was still relevant in 2008 when it was republished by Kessinger’s Rare Reprints, although it was panned by H. Parker Willis in the Journal of Political Economy.
Foote was born in Olcott, New York in 1845, although he was raised in Michigan. He volunteered for the Army at age 19 in 1861, was disabled by a gunshot wound in his right lung. He reenlisted in 1864 as a Full Sargent, then promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.
Foote married Emily Louisa Hayt in 1868. They had one daughter, Isabella. On the 1880 census Foote’s occupation was listed as “selling pianos”, however he was also interested in labor organization in New York, where he lived. During the 1800s he wrote several books about economic topics of living in Takoma Park, Maryland, one of which was about electricity. Later he wrote about the economics of telephone companies.
He listed himself as a widow in the 1900 census living in his own home along with female boarder. However his wife was alive and living with their daughter.
He moved a few times and eventually founded and became the first president of the National Tax Association. He also became known as being part of the progressive movement in America.
Aunt (or Auntie) Phyllis was Grandma Green’s older sister. She married late in life at age 55, living with her father and stepmother until at least 1950. Her husband-to-be, George Lahey, was a widower with three grown children. I probably met her when I was a child, but I have no recollection of it. She was always good about recognizing her grand- nieces and nephews for their accomplishments, usually with a card, embroidered hankie, and a small cash gift. I’ve happened upon many letters from Auntie Phyllis, but unfortunately threw them away before realizing what a treasure of information they would have been.
In this letter dated April 14, 1959, she announces her upcoming wedding and after-wedding travel plans.
April 14, – 11:30 a.m.
Dear Lois and All,
Just wanted to let you know that I am being married on April 24th at 10: a.m. in Madison, Wis. George’s son James and his wife, Welcome, are going to be our attendants. We want just a simple affair. We plan to leave right after the ceremony and are planning to go to Elgin and Chicago. We want to stay in a motel near Elgin. Would you know of any that is nice near Elgin? Please let me know the name of it. Then on Saturday we will come in to see your folks and would like you and Walter to drive us into Chicago to go to the Merchandise Mart where I can order a few of my summer clothes for the store*. I wish I didn’t have the store.
I have a blue wool suit, white hat and gloves and patent shoes for my wardrobe for the wedding.
Welcome wants to have a wedding breakfast but I told her not to do any fussing.
This afternoon George and I are going to get our marriage licenses. Would like to keep the notice out of the paper until after the marriage because some people are just looking for them.
This A.M. we went to sign our wills. Will tell you about it when I see you.
Next week will be a busy week at our house. We will have a farm boy with us for the week. Reid was at this farm boy’s house last week and Reid enjoyed it very much. Little Donnie says that the farm boy will have to sleep with me. He’s a rascal.
Heard over the radio that a man in a blue and white station wagon stopped a girl on her bike to give her a ride. She refused to to and then reported this incident to police. All police are on the alert as that color station wagon is involved in the murder of the boy from Milwaukee.
There is a fugitive from justice hiding near Grandma Krueger’s home too.
Well I must close, for now.
Please let me know as soon as possible about the motels.
Envelope is enclosed for you.
Love to all from all,
Phyllis.
PS Had a letter from June telling of her Dad’s illness. Too bad.
Phyliss Koeser April 14, 1959
*Auntie Phyllis co-owned a store called The Economy Store in Two Rivers, Wisconsin for 8 years along with a Martha Gensman. The letter in this post was sent in an envelope with a return address of the store.
Clutch Cargo Lips 
