Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Unknown [Photograph of John Browned signed commision for Harpers Ferry]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03007.55 Author/Creator: Unknown Place Written: s.l. Type: Photograph Date: 1 March 1860 Pagination: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 23 cm. Order a Copy

A photograph of the commission, signed by John Brown as Commander in Chief, appointing Owen Brown a captain in John Brown's army. Document is dated 13 October 1859. Photograph is mounted on heavy piece of cardboard. The photograph is 14.5 x 20 cm, mounting 18.5 x 23 cm.

Brown, John, 1800-1859

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