Edwin A. Whitcomb Correspondence

Collection — Box: 01, Folder: 03

Identifier: SC-0003

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This small collection consists of a single letter from Edwin A. Whitcomb to a friend, James Cain, in Connecticut. Whitcomb, employed by Ravenna Glass Company's company store in Ravenna, Ohio, briefly describes the rhythm of his work, the patronage of the store by glassblowers, and his impressions of the town. He also states his intention to move to Kansas and "never go back east." Whitcomb additionally discusses Thanksgiving preparations and his intention to attend an upcoming dance.

An envelope embossed with a Ravenna Glass Company seal accompanies the letter. The envelope's three-cent Washington postage stamp is notable as an early example of a perforated stamp.

Dates

1858

Creator

Whitcomb, Edwin A., 1838-1863 (Person)

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for public research. Researchers must make an appointment to view the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

The Copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. The user agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Corning Museum of Glass and the Rakow Research Library against all claims, demands, costs and expenses incurred by copyright infringement or any other legal or regulatory cause of action arising from the use of Library materials.

Biographical / Historical

Edwin A. Whitcomb was most likely from Brooklyn, Connecticut. As a young man, he headed west and found employment in the company store of Ravenna Glass Company in Ravenna, Ohio. He is thought to have joined the 105th Ohio Infantry Regiment in 1862 and died at the Battle of Chickamauga in 1863. He is buried in his family's plot in Brooklyn, Connecticut.