[Rarebooks] FS: 1919 Manuscript Real-Photo Book - Old Capron Home in Hebron, Illinois

[Joslin Hall Rare Books]

“The Mansion" - 1919 Manuscript Photo Book of the Old Capron Home in 
Hebron, Illinois.

A very interesting handmade viewbook with a set of 4 original 
photographs printed from glass negatives taken by Louis Thiers, of the 
Capron House in Hebron, Illinois. "Old Illinois Houses" (John Drury, 
University of Chicago Press; 1977) notes- "A man who did much to further 
the cause of scientific agriculture in this country during pioneer days, 
and who even introduced progressive farming methods into Japan, was 
General Horace Capron,a who established a home in Illinois. The old 
Capron house on a hill near Hebron, in the vicinity of the much-visited 
lakes region northwest of Chicago, has become a well-known residential 
landmark. Horace Capron built his house in 1850, but it was not until 
1854 that he occupied the mansion, bringing to it a second wife, who was 
Margaret Baker of New York."

Kenneth K. Schaefer, writing in a Centennial history of Hebron (1936), 
reported- "During 1850 and early 1851 the 'Mansion' was built, the 
bricks and building materials being hauled from Milwaukee by slow ox 
team. The Capron house was a marvelous building for its day, and 
present-day visitors to the 'Mansion' cannot help being impressed with 
its spacious and multitudinous rooms, high ceilings, large fireplaces, 
solid mahogany spiral stairway and priceless glass chandeliers." Horace 
Capron served in the Civil War, rising to the rank of brigadier general 
and serving for a time as an adjutant to General Grant, who was a 
houseguest at "The Mansion" after the war. The house still stands today 
(minus the cupola) as a private residence.

The 4 photographs comprise views "From the Highway", "From the South 
East", another southeast view, and the "Living Room". Regarding the 
photographer, the University of Wisconsin's website notes- "The Louis M. 
Thiers Glass Negative Collection (at the Kenosha County Historical 
Society) is comprised of over 1,000 glass plate photographic negatives. 
The stability of the glass plates has wonderfully preserved the images 
of people, homes, buildings, industries, domestic and recreational 
scenes, animals, landscapes, and events…primarily from the late 1880s 
into the early 1910s. The aesthetic appeal, strong composition, and 
mastery of photography demonstrated by these shots are readily 
apparent."

Card covers, string-tied binding. 10.25"x8.25", hand-lettered title page 
plus 4 leaves, each with a mounted original silver print. Inside the 
rear cover are pasted two newspaper articles about Louisa K. Thiers, 
Horace Capron's sister and a founding member of the D.A.R., one 
regarding her 111th birthday in 1926, and the other about her death in 
1927. Minor wear, light soil.  $175-

Some pictures = >
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<http://www.joslinhall.com/images417/th-42207-page2.jpg>
<http://www.joslinhall.com/images417/th-42207-page3.jpg>
<http://www.joslinhall.com/images417/th-42207-page4.jpg>
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<http://www.joslinhall.com/images417/th-42207-page6.jpg>

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JOSLIN HALL RARE BOOKS, ABAA
Fine books of the 16th-20th centuries
on the decorative and fine arts & design

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