UMass Amherst Libraries
Robert S. Cox Special Collections and University Archives Research Center

Association for Gravestone Studies Ephemera Collection

1788-1939
1 box (0.25 linear ft.)
Call no.: MS 651
rotating decorative images from SCUA collections

Founded in 1977, the Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) is an international organization dedicated to furthering the study and preservation of gravestones. Based in Greenfield, Mass., the Association promotes the study of gravestones from historical and artistic perspectives. To raise public awareness about the significance of historic gravemarkers and the issues surrounding their preservation, the AGS sponsors conferences and workshops, publishes both a quarterly newsletter and annual journal, Markers, and has built an archive of collections documenting gravestones and the memorial industry.



The AGS Ephemera Collections contains a mix of materials relating to gravestones and the slate and marble industries. Most of the items relate to the marble and slate industries in Western Massachusetts and adjacent areas in Vermont and New Hampshire.

See similar SCUA collections:

Gravestones
Massachusetts (West)

Background on Association for Gravestone Studies

Founded in 1977, the Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) is an international organization dedicated to furthering the study and preservation of gravestones. Based in Greenfield, Mass., the Association promotes the study of gravestones from historical and artistic perspectives. To raise public awareness about the significance of historic gravemarkers and the issues surrounding their preservation, the AGS sponsors conferences and workshops, publishes both a quarterly newsletter and annual journal, Markers, and has built an archive of collections documenting gravestones and the memorial industry.

Scope of collection

The AGS Ephemera Collections contains a mix of materials relating to gravestones and the slate and marble industries. Most of the items relate to the marble and slate industries in Western Massachusetts and adjacent areas in Vermont and New Hampshire.

Inventory

Bosworth, G. L. : Invoice from C. D. Allen for flagstone, Holyoke, Mass.
1885 Apr. 25

"North River Blue Stone for curbing, guttering, street crossings, sidewalks, &c.

Bruton Parish Church: A Brief History, With a Map and Key List of Tombstones in the Church and Yard (Williamsburg, Va.,1939)
1939

Ownership signature of L. Sidney Eslinger 1940 on front wrap

Clement, C.: Letter to "my dear Elizabeth"
1876 Sept. 11

On letterhead of Clement, Sons & Co. Producers of Rutland Marble

Connecticut Courant & Weekly Intelligencer
1788 Nov. 3

Includes advertisement, p. 2, for Shaler and Hall stone quarry, Chatham "for public or private Buildings, Flags, Grave-Stones or Monuments. .. "

Fair Haven Marble and Marbleized Slate Co.: Letter to Farr Alpaca Company, quote for slate, Fair Haven, Vt.
1895 Dec. 23
Frawley, John: Business cards (3) printed envelope, and printed shipping labelBusiness cards (3) printed envelope, and printed shipping label, linking to the digital objectBusiness cards (3) printed envelope, and printed shipping label, linking to the digital objectBusiness cards (3) printed envelope, and printed shipping label, linking to the digital object
Undated

Frawley listed on his business cards alternately as a dealer in Granite & Marble Monuments and Quarryman, Erving, Mass.

Frawley, John: Receipt to the Ladies Aid Society for lumber, Wendell Depot, Mass.
1908 June 5

Also includes blank printed receipt form

Lamprey & Dickey: Business card, Lanconia, N.H.Business card, Lanconia, N.H., linking to the digital object
ca.1890

"Manufacturers and dealers in monuments, tablets, gravestones"

Meade, P. F.: Letter to Samuel M. Green, Holyoke, Mass.Letter to Samuel M. Green, Holyoke, Mass., linking to the digital object
1895 May 14

Agrees to furnish brownstone sills and granite doors sills. Meade was a dealer in "Building Stone and Monumental Work"

Memorial cardsMemorial cards, linking to the digital objectMemorial cards, linking to the digital object
1888 Sept 23, Nov. 26

Cards for Elizabeth Leach (d. Sept. 23, 1888) and Mrs. Elizabeth Phelps (d. Nov. 26, 1888). Backmark on Leach for Memorial Card Company, Philadelphia, Pa.

Pelkey, W. H.: Letter to Farr Alpaca Company, quote for slate, Holyoke, Mass.
1895 Dec. 21

On letterhead of W.H. Pelkey Slate and Iron Works

Sheldon Marble Co.: Letter to Farr Alpaca Co. regarding use of oil as fuel, West Rutland, Vt.
1890 June 14

On letterhead of Sheldon Marble Co.

United States. Bureau of Mines : Accident report for Quarries to John Frawley
1916

Printed form not completed

Vermont Marble Company: Letter to Farr Alpaca Co. regarding oil burners, Proctor, Vt.
1892 Feb. 18

Mentions Standard Oil Co. problems

Wall and McCormick: Letter to Farr Alpaca Co. regarding delivery of stone for beds, Holyoke, Mass.
1891 Jan. 24

On letterhead of "Wall and McCormick, Workers in Stone"

Administrative information

Access

The collection is open for research.

Provenance

Acquired from the Association for Gravestone Studies, November 2009; many items were the gift of Mrs. Sidney Eslinger to the AGS.

Processing Information

Processed by Dex Haven, January 2010.

The AGS Ephemera Collection is one of several collections that comprise the Association for Gravestone Studies Collections.

Language:

English

Copyright and Use (More information )

Cite as: Association for Gravestone Studies Ephemera Collection (MS 651). Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries.

Search terms

Subjects

  • Marble industry and trade.
  • Slate industry.

Contributors

  • Association for Gravestone Studies. [main entry]
  • Fair Haven Marble and Marbleized Slate Co.
  • Farr Alpaca Co.

Genres and formats

  • Business cards.
  • Circular letters.
  • Ephemera.
  • Memorial cards.

Link to similar SCUA collections

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