19th c. SKETCHBOOK AUTOGRAPH ALBUM MEMORY BOOK

Item #645

Black 9 x 7” autograph album that says “Album” on the cover in gold and “J.F. Bener” on the back in gold. However, according to newspaper clippings later in the album, it seems the name is meant to be “J. F. Beyer.” The front cover is detached from the body of the album and the spine is worn. On the inside front cover is a tipped in note with writing that does not seem to be in English, more probably German. In fact, most of the poems and comments in the album appear to be in German, and many signatures are from Basel, though it looks that Beyer immigrated to Worcester, Massachusetts at some point. The album is filled with gorgeous and impressive pencil sketches and artwork, mostly tipped in, from various artists, sketches of houses and nature. There are also two Stevensgraph-type of woven pieces: One of the Pope dated 1846 and another bookmark dated 1862 with “Halle.Hoffmann, Basel,” at the bottom. There are also sketches from an E.A.B., who may be Emma Beyer. Newspaper clippings from Worcester are pasted into the album, many of them about Joseph Beyer, who was the vice president of the German Turn Verein society, member of the board of directors of the Frohsinn Society, and apparently made at least one basket for a balloon wedding. Illustrations and signatures range in date from 1837 to 1895. The album is not completely full, and there is damp staining to the right side of every page.

Example newspaper clippings:
Worcester 18 Dec. 1882
THE TURN VEREIN.—A large company assembled by invitation of the Turn Verein society, at the opening of their new hall in Stockwell’s block, on Mechanic Street, last evening. A pleasing performance was rendered to the satisfaction of all present. A congratulatory speech in regard to the origin and progress of the society, by Mr. Joseph Beyer, was a prominent feature of the entertainment. Dancing was begun shortly after 9 o’clock, and formed a pleasing afterpiece to the other exercises.
The Turn Verein was organized in 1859, and so is the oldest German society in the city. Its purpose to promote, as far as possible, physical development in connection with social and intellectual advancement among its members, is one which has made it hitherto deservedly popular. Until recently the society has held its assemblies at their hall on Jackson Street, but its distance from the centre has caused considerable dissatisfaction, and they have been on the lookout for a suitable purchaser.
The opportunity offered a short time ago when they disposed of the property to Mr. Luther Shaw for $3500, and the building is now used for his brass foundry. The new hall is situated on the second floor in Mr. Stockwell’s block, immediately over Hovey’s place, and is arranged so as to fully meet the requirements of the society. They have regular meetings every Wednesday and Friday evening.

THE TURNERS. Oct. 27 1883
Since the sale of their hall on Jackson street the German Turner Society have doubled their membership and outgrown the rooms they have since occupied in Stockwell’s block on Mechanic street. To meet the needs of the society and still foster its growth they have secured a large hall, 70 by 50 feet, in the fifth story of Stevens block on Southbridge street, and will fit it up in grand shape. In addition to the main hall they will have ample ante-rooms and a large storage room. The officers of the society are: Emil Becker, president; Joseph F. Beyer, vice president; Ferd Neumann, secretary; Geo. W. Miller, treasurer; Chas. Schiller, master of gymnastics, and they are a committee to arrange the new quarters. The dedication will take place about the middle of November.

BRIDGET COX AT SUNSET. (October 9th, 1888)
Her Arbitrary Manipulations in Her Vehicle Caused Her Arrest.
Bridget Cox occupied her vehicle at Barber’s Crossing, late yesterday afternoon. She also occupied pretty much all the road, as her manipulation of the reins was so eccentric that the poor horse didn’t know which one of the many jerks on his mouth he was to mind. Bridget had stowed away a large cargo of whisky, which tended to make her motions the more eccentric.
People who wanted to travel couldn’t because Bridget took up all the road, so the Greendale special, John Beyer, was called upon and Bridget Cox arrived at Station 1, just at sunset.

WILL BE MADE IN HEAVEN. (1893)
Balloon Basket Being Made in Worcester for a Wedding.
A new industry has sprung up in the city. At 28 Central street, Joseph F. Beyer is making a basket for a balloon in which a blushing young couple will be married next month in New York. The contract for the basket was originally sent to Boston, but there was nobody there with ingenuity enough to construct a bridal car, and so it came to Worcester.
Mr. Beyer has the basket nearly completed. It will be five feet long by three and one-third inches wide. The car will differ considerably from the basket in which The Telegram man his famous ascent from the common. It will be rounded on the bottom on the bottom instead of being square. The basket, too, will be quite a luxurious affair. It is being built of rattan, imported from Spain, and will be cushioned in four corners. There will be a stool 13 inches high in the center, for the aeronaut.
Besides the bridal couple there will be in the car the minister, James K. Allen, the aeronaut, brother of the Allen who took The Telegram man up among the clouds, and his assistant.
The names of the bride and bridegroom have been kept secret, but it is said they belong to fashionable circles in New York. Their bridal car, which will be finished in a few days, is a work of beauty and will cost $75.

Sold