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Guardian Angels, A History of the Killen Family. by Vickie R.
Rumble. This book traces the Killen Family from Scotland to Ireland
then to America down to current generations. Includes information on
thousands of related families as well as much local history of Tenn., N.
Ala., Texas, etc. Much information on Confederate veterans including
the formation of Camp O'Neal, United Confederate Veterans, Lauderdale
County, AL. Copies available from the author.
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The Employments of Women: A Cyclopedia of Women's Work. Virginia
Penny, l863. Reprint. Describes all employments of women reported for
the times along with salaries and description of work performed. Very
good in developing programs for living histories or first person
impressions. Mrs. Martin's Mercantile 4566 Oakhurst Dr., Sylvania, OH
43560 (4l9) 474-2093
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The Kentucky Housewife, Lettice Bryan, l839. Reprint. Period
cookbook, some recipes can be accurately reproduced for period picnics,
living histories, etc. University of S. C. Press. ISBN 0-87249-735-6
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Plain People of the Confederacy. Bell I. Wiley. Invaluable in
establishing a first person impression of Southern refugees. Encounter
Books/Quadrangle Books.
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Johnny Reb. Bell I. Wiley. Very informative book of the Confederate
soldier. Info. also pertains to the Southern Homefront. LSU Press. ISBN
0-807l-0475-2
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Life in Dixie During the War, Mary A. H. Gay. This is perhaps the
best diary account of Life in the South during the war years. Miss
Gay's description of the hardships she, family members, and neighbors
endured is heartbreaking. Very good overall reference. Recently
reprinted for the first time since this book was originally published.
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Resources of Southern Fields and Forests, Frances Peyer Porcher,
M.D. (rare). A period medical manual of plants, trees, shrubs, herbs,
etc. useful in the South during blockaded times. 597 pages.
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Brokenburn, The Journal of Kate Stone, Kate Stone. Very good book
on researching Southern refugees and the hardships they endured. Well
written and entertaining. Kate discusses her family's plight to Texas
to escape the War and the prejudices they experienced by locals. LSU
Press. ISBN 0-8071-2042-1
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The Diary of Miss Emma Holmes, Emma Holmes. Well written and
entertaining, good documentation on refugees, makeshifts, and life in a
blockaded country. Miss Holmes was a resident of S. Carolina, member of
a Soldiers' Aid Society, and a refugee. LSU Press. ISBN 0-8071-1940-7
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General Lee and Santa Claus, Louise Clack. Wonderful accounting of
why Santa could not visit the Southern children during the War years.
NOTE: There are two versions of this book available, the original,
and a modernized version - ask for the former. Guild Bindery Press,
Ins. P. O. Box 38099, Memphis, TN 38183. 1-800-622-7936
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The Confederate Housewife, John Hammond Moore. A compilation of
substitutions and recipes from various newspapers and other publications
during the war years. Invaluable reference on conditions on the
homefront. Summerhouse Press, P. O. Box 1492, Columbia, SC.
1-803-779-0870. ISBN 1-887714-09-X
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Confederate Receipt Book, A Compilation of One Hundred Receipts Adapted
to the Times, Merton Coulter. The only cookbook written in the
South during war times. Provides a very clear picture of what life was
like in the blockaded South. Substitutions for everyday items provide
insight into what circumstances were like for Southern women.
University of GA Press, Athens, GA. ISBN
0-8203-0561-8
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A
Blockaded Family, Life in Southern Alabama During the Civil War,
Parthenia Antoinette Hague. Exceptional in its documentation of
hardships and substitutions in Alabama during the war years. Provides
insight on everything from feather fans to spinning and weaving.
Originally published in l888, recommended by Jefferson Davis. ISBN
1-55709-247-8. Applewood Books, 18 North Rd., Bedford, MA 01730
-
A
Woman's War Time Journal, Dolly Sumner Lunt. Small book which
details one woman's hardships after Sherman's infamous March to the Sea.
-
A
Very Violent Rebel, Ellen House. Gives an accounting of the war
years in Eastern Tennessee. Univ. TN Press/Knoxville. 37996-0325. ISBN
0-87049-944-0
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A
Confederate Nurse, Ada Bacot. Miss Bacot describes her time spent
as a Confederate nurse. ISBN 0-87249-970-7
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Women in the War, Elizabeth Massey. This book outlines the changes
in women's lives brought on by the war and how these changes effect us
today. The war was perhaps the precursor of the Women's Rights
Movement. Nebraska Press. ISBN 0-8032-82l3-3
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Valor and Lace, Mauriel Phillips Joslyn. A collection of short
stories. Contains valuable information on Ladies Aid Societies and
their work. Southern Heritage Press. P. O. Box 1012, Murfreesboro, TN
37133
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The War the Women Lived, Walter Sullivan. A collection of short
stories abstracted from period diaries. A good overall book for someone
who does not have time to read each individual diary. J. S. Sanders
Co., P. O. Box 50331, Nashville, TN 37205. ISBN l-879-94l-30-9
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A
Rebel War Clerk's Diary, John B. Jones. An invaluable accounting of
life in the South during war times as seen through the eyes of a male
civilian. Mr. Jones records food and clothing shortages, prices of
goods, and the hardship of providing for his family. Since he served as
a clerk and had knowledge of war information much of it is recorded as
well. Time-Life Books.
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Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith McGuire. A very good accounting
of Southern refugee life and its hardships.
-
Recollections Grave and Gay, Constance Cary (Mrs. Burton Harrison).
Constance was from a wealthy socialite family, but even she endured
hardship during the war. While her life was not as devastated as many
this book serves as a comparison between social classes during the war -
no one was immune from hardship and shortages. Much historical
information about the Jefferson Davis family included as witnessed first
hand by her husband.
-
Weep Not For Me, Dear Mother, Elizabeth Roberson. A collection of
letters written by a Confederate private to his mother during the war.
-
My Cave Life in Vicksburg, Mrs. James Loughborough. An exceptional
accounting of life in the caves of Vicksburg during the siege. The
Reprint Co. Spartanburg, SC ISBN
0-87l52-2l7-9
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An Antebellum Plantation Household, Ann Whaley Sinkler LaClercq. An
accounting by a Northern woman who moved to South Carolina after her
marriage to a plantation owner. Provides contrast between life in the
North and South. This book also provides the War Between The States
receipt book of Emily Sinkler. University of SC Press. ISBN
l-57003-l29-0
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The Workwoman's Guide, 1838 - By A Lady, A Guide to the 19th Century
Decorative Arts, Fashion, and Practical Crafts, Opus Publications,
reprint. Gives sketches and VERY brief instructions for various period
items. Such works provide little instruction to aid the modern
seamstress in reproducing the items. Provides information on mourning,
descriptions of fabrics for the times, and much other useful
information. Post Rd., Box 269, Guilford, CT 06437
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The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, Fashion, and Manual of Politeness,
Florence Hartley, l860. Reprint. Useful in molding one's 20th century
manners to fit a 19th century impression. Amazon Dry Goods, Davenport,
IA
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Civil War Era Etiquette, R. L. Shep. As above.
-
A
Woman's Civil War, A Diary with Reminiscences of the War from March 1862,
Cornelia Peake McDonald. Exceptional accounting of life in the South
during the war years. Mrs. McDonald describes the many hardships she
endured in caring for her large family. Univ. Wisconsin Press. ISBN
0-299-l3260-9
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The Robert E. Lee Family Cooking and Housekeeping Book, Anne Carter
Zimmer (Gr. granddaughter of Gen. Lee). Contains receipts from the Lee
family along with modern directions for reproducing them. Lee family
history, and journal entries included. University of NC Press. ISBN
0-8078-2369-4
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When the World Ended, Emma LaConte. An exceptional accounting of
Southern civilian life during the war by a teen-age girl. Valuable
insight as to the thought processes of young people during the times.
Emma's father also wrote a diary which makes for good comparison with
hers. University of Nebraska Press. ISBN
0-8032-8l5l-X
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The Civil War Diary of Anne S. Frobel of Wilton Hill in Virginia,
Anne Frobel. A frank and honest accounting of hardships endured by
Anne and her sister who never recovered from the heavy losses they
sustained during the war. They lived in poverty the rest of their lives
in a house with leaky ceilings, clothes unfit for public viewing, cold,
and hunger. Don't look for a happy ending. EPM Publications Inc., l003
Turkey Run Rd., McLean, VA 22l0l. ISBN 0-939009-69-2
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An Introduction to Civil War Civilians, Juanita Leisch. Valuable
manual for developing a first person impression. Thomas Publications,
Gettysburg, PA.
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Who Wore What, Juanita Leisch, Thomas Publications. Valuable source
of information in recreating 19th century clothing. Hundreds of
pictures for comparison.
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A
Southern Woman's Story, Phoebe Yates Pember. A small book, but an
exceptional accounting of Southern life and the hardships of running a
hospital in a blockaded country. Hardships endured by soldiers are
described by Phoebe who laments her inability to provide them with more
food and comforts. ISBN 89l76-024-5. R. Bemis Publishing, P. O. Box
7l088, Marietta, GA 30007
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Co. Aytch, Sam Watkins. A sometimes serious, sometimes funny but
frank look at what life was like for a Confederate Private. This book
inspired the one act play by Mr. Bob Funk. ISBN 0-02-038l30-l
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Sarah Morgan, The Civil War Diary of a Southern Woman, Sarah Morgan.
Very good diary accounting. Skip the dry passages - the ending is
exceptional. Honest and frank accounting of hardships endured by the
Morgan family. Refugee - fled several times when
the town was shelled and occupied. ISBN 0-67l-78503-6
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Ersatz in the Confederacy, Elizabeth Massey. A MUST for any serious
Southern civilian re-enactor. This book describes in detail every facet
of life in the South during war times and hardships endured in the
name of Freedom. ISBN 0-87249-877-8
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of Life in the South During the War by a Blockaded British Subject,
(rare). A very frank and honest accounting of Life in the South by one
able to provide an unbiased view. She describes the system of slavery
which is vastly different from what the politically correct would have
us believe
-
A
Journal of Hospital Life in the Confederate Army of Tennessee from the
Battle of Shiloh to the End of the War With Sketches of Life and
Character and Brief Notices of Current Events During that Period. Kate
Cumming. Recently reprinted.
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Mothers of Invention. Drew Gilpin Faust. Vintage Books. This book
contains numerous diary entries which are broken up by topics.
Explanations of changes in women's lives brought about by the War and
far reaching effects will shed light on the role of women today.
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A Vast Sea of Misery, Gregory Coco. An Accounting of hospitals in
Gettysburg, Thomas Publications
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Richmond During the War - Sallie Brock Putman. Good accounting of
life in the South during the War years. University of Nebraska Press.
ISBN 0-8032-8745-3
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The Secret Eye - The Journal of Ella Gertrude Clanton Thomas 1848-1889.
Ella Thomas. Good account of life before, during, and after the
war. Shows the changes brought about by Reconstruction and the trauma
of having a husband return from the war bitterly disappointed in its
outcome and in the turn of events brought about by the surrender. Univ.
NC Press. ISBN 0-8078-l897-6
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Food Preservation Before the Mason Jar, Nancy Torgerson, l7 Surrey
Lane, Forsythe, IL 62535
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Peddlers and Post Traders - the Army Sutler on the Frontier. David
Delo, Kingfisher Books, P. O. Box 4628, Helena, Montana 59604
-
Lucy Breckinridge of Grove Hill: The Journal of a Virginia Girl
1862-1864. University of S C Press. ISBN 0-87249-995-5. Lucy
gives invaluable insight not only into conditions on the homefront but
how Southern women felt about the war and conditions they encountered.
-
Beadle's Dime Guide to Dress-Making and Millinery, Sullivan Press.
A reprint of the original book. It contains invaluable information on
clothing and its construction whether one sews her own dresses or has
them made by a seamstress. A must for any serious re-enactor.
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The Boy's Own Book and The Girl's Own Book. ISBN's:
l-55709-505-l, l-55709-l34-X. Applewood Books, P. O. Box 365, Bedford,
MA l073. These books give descriptions and diagrams of games, toys,
and other activities of the period. Great reference for adults as well!
-
Southern By the Grace of God, Michael Andrew Grissom. Southern
Culture and Values Defined. ISBN
0-88289-76l-6
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A Battle from the Start: The Life of Nathan Bedford Forrest, Brian
Steel Wills. ISBN 0-06-0l6832-3. Not a dry military manual - this book
describes the life of one of the South's greatest leaders from childhood
through the war years. An entertaining and enlightening read.
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Stonewall Jackson: Portrait of a Soldier, John Bowers. William
Morrow, Co., Inc. l05 Madison Ave, NY, NY l00l6
Again, this is not a dry military manual. Jackson the man as well as
Jackson the brilliant military strategist is outlined in a manner which
is enlightening and refreshing.
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Echoes of Glory, Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy, Time Life
Books. This book has hundreds of images of clothing, arms, flags, etc.,
but of special interest to women are the photos of such items as the
fiddleback silver carried by one of the Confederate generals. This
gives insight as to what was used by civilians and carried into battle
with the soldiers.
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Foxfire - the series. These books may be purchased or obtained
through your local library. There are numerous books in the series and
discuss conditions in rural GA mountains, remembrances of elderly
residents, and of most importance they give a hands-on approach with
detailed diagrams and pictures of how to make everything from brogans
and rifles to wagon wheels.
-
Sad
Earth, Sweet Heaven: The Diary of Lucy Rebecca Buck During the War
Between the States. Front Royal, VA Dec. l86l-April l5, l865.
Lucy Buck was a well educated young woman, very capable of expressing
herself and of leaving an incomparable record of life in war-torn
Virginia. There were many notations in this book of special interest to
me, especially a passage describing a woman's hair style of the period
as being parted in the center. We are all familiar with this style from
viewing CDV's, however, this was the first concrete reference I have
found to this style in my reading.
-
A
Rebel Came Home: The Diary and Letters of Floride Clemson l863-l866.
Edited by Ernest McPherson Lander, Jr. and Charles M. McGee, Jr.
University of SC Press. ISBN: 0-87249-642-2. Floride Clemson was not
your usual Southern girl in that she was the granddaughter of Senator
John C. Calhoun and thus born into a family of some prominence and
social standing. Floride seems to have been a truly caring young woman
and describes her travels well both through her journal and letters to
her mother. While her wealth afforded her some degree of luxury over
her Southern sisters, it did not make her immune to suffering and she
records deaths, illnesses, and other tragedies similar to those
experienced throughout the South.
-
The
Children's Civil War. James Marten. University of NC Press. ISBN:
0-8078-2425-9. The author reveals many issues previously gone
unnoticed in the chronicles of war. He delves into the lives of the
children who lived through it and records their suffering. He also
explains that most of these children were scarred by memories of war the
remainder of their lives - perhaps the earliest recorded cases of
post-traumatic stress syndrome. We feel a compassion for these children
in reading this book and a desire to alleviate their suffering and
return their lost childhoods. Highly recommended.
-
The
History of Underclothes. C. Willett and Phillis Cunnington. Dover
Books. ISBN: 0-486-27l24-2. This book includes underwear for men and
women throughout the ages including some items you might not think of as
underwear - such as a man's shirt. We can see the function and form of
these garments as they develop through the centuries as well as studying
specifically the garments from the mid-l800's era. A good source for
those who wish to recreate accurate period clothing.
-
Thoughts on Men's Shirts in America l750-l900. William L. Brown, III.
Thomas Publications. ISBN l-57747-048-6. This is an invaluable source
for anyone trying to outfit the gentleman re-enactor. Mr. Brown shows
the evolution of the shirt from the l700's through the turn of the
century. In addition to photographs of various shirts (Some from the
Steamboat Arabia and Bertrand museums and other sites), there are also
detailed drawings of each shirt giving measurements, fabric, buttons,
etc. A must for your library.
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REPASTS FROM THE PAST: 200 years of Receipts from the CW-Renactors,
Inc. Virtual Community. Compiled and edited by Vickie R. Rumble. Order
from 9534 Fern Hollow Way, Montgomery Village, MD 20886-37l4. This
book compares period receipts to their modern counterparts and also
gives newspaper accounts of the war years as it effected foods for both
soldiers and civilians. Also contains period housekeeping tips from
Godey's Lady's Book and other sources. A valuable insight into the
foods eaten during the l9th century, cooking terms, measures &
equivalents, food storage, etc. $l2. + $3. S&H priority.
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A Confederate Lady Comes of Age. The Journal of Pauline DeCaradeuc
Heyward 1863-1888. ISBN l-57003-228-9. This journal is interesting
and informative and a valuable addition to your library. She describes
reaction to the surrender, plundering and theft committed by the Union
troops, the depths they went to to find items hidden from them, prices
of fabrics and other essentials, the tender care given to dying soldiers
by women far from home and much more. University of SC Press.
-
Free-Born Slave: Diary of a Black Man in the South. J. R. Nall.
ISBN l-88l548-28-7. Crane Hill Publishers, Birmingham, AL. J. R. Nall
was born during the civil war - exact date unknown to a slave mother.
His accomplishments are many and his insight into conditions around him
astonishing. His emotions and views of the war and slavery are
surprising, honest, and frank. He dictated his memories to his daughter
in the l930's including his genealogy back as far as his grandmother who
was the daughter of an Irish plantation owner and a slave - but not an
African slave. J. R.'s maternal grandfather was an Indian slave who had
been captured and enslaved at a young age. Truly an insight into the
rarely discussed issue of Native Americans having been enslaved along
with their African counterparts. J. R. explains how his paternal
ancestors assumed the name of their masters, the Nall family, and the
protection they provided the Widow Nall during the war.
-
Margaret Junkin Preston: A Biography. Mary Price Couling. John F.
Blair, Publisher, Winston Salem, NC. ISBN 0-89587-l02-5. Margaret
Preston was a sister-in-law of Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. She gives
a frank accounting of the family life of one of history's most beloved
men, including her feelings about her sister's death. Intertwined
within her memoirs is an accounting of conditions in a blockaded
country.
-
Introduction to Civil War Photography. Ross J. Kelbaugh. Thomas
Publications. ISBN 0-93963l-36-9. An informative look at the history
of photography as it pertains to the mid-Victorian era. Topics: The
Photographers, The Photographer's Studio, Ambrotype, Carte de Visite,
Steps of the Carte de Visite Process, Tintype, The Bendanns of
Baltimore, Outdoor Photography, The Wartime Experiences of a Young
Photographer, Collector's Guide.
-
The Complete Guide to Vintage Textiles. Elizabeth Kurella. Krause
Publications. ISBN: 0-8734l-676-7. This
book gives a sketch of the history of various period garments and
textiles. It is certainly not the "end all source" of textiles, but in
addition to other sources will give the reader a glimpse of period
textiles until someone decides to reprint the Textiles in America book.
A very good general overview of topics such as quilts,embroidery,
fabric, rugs, blankets, coverlets, lacemaking, knitting, dyeing,
cutwork, dresses, bonnets, paisley shawls, etc.
-
Women's Life & Work in the Southern Colonies by Julia Cherry
Spruill. The Norton Library, l972 (original copyright l938). ISBN
0-393-006622-X. While this book describes women's lives in the colonial
era some of what is discussed will lend an understanding to women's
roles in the mid-Victorian era. While not recommended as a description
of the mid-19th century, it is recommended for those who wish to do
additional research to document customs of the period and where they
originated etc. Contains newspaper accounts with sources.
-
Gulf City Cookbook. Compiled by the Ladies of the St. Francis
Street Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Mobile, Alabama l878. Reprint
University of Alabama Press. ISBN: 0-8l73-0508-4. I found this an
excellent addition to my period cookbooks. While it is post-war it is a
remarkable source of culinary history for the state of Alabama, and for
a coastal area. One will find differences to be expected such as an
extensive seafood/fish section, and more Southern dishes than found in
many of the northern printed receipt books of the Victorian era. Since
I am a born and raised Alabamian I was particularly delighted with this
book.
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Thomas Publications: 353 Buford Ave., Gettysburg, PA l7325. E-mail: cwreader@mail.cvn.net
-
Victorian Trading Co., l-800-800-6647, l8l9 Baltimore, Kansas City, MO
64l08. Also Victorian Papers catalogs.
-
Lehman Non-electric Catalog (carries the Foxfire books) and loads of
other essential camp equipment. One Lehman
Circle, P. O. Box 4l, Kidron, OH 44636
330-857-5757. E-mail: info@lehmans.com
Web: http://www.lehmans.com. Catalog $3.00 - well worth the price. You
will find items here that you thought hadn't been produced since the
l800's.